Trump's Justices Changed the Way We Vote Forever. Plus, Ep.3 of American Emergency
5/15/202651 min
Louisiana’s state senate has passed a new congressional map, eliminating one of two majority-Black districts in the state. On this week’s On the Media, hear why the Supreme Court’s blessing of that move rests on a basic statistical error. Plus, how an unprecedented storm of conspiracy theories beset FEMA during Hurricane Helene.
[01:00] Host Brooke Gladstone sits down with G. Elliott Morris, journalist, statistician, and author of the data-driven news website Strength in Numbers, to talk about the statistical error he found in the Supreme Court’s Louisiana v. Callais ruling, and the widespread consequences for our democracy.
[15:38] Host Micah Loewinger presents the third part of our investigation American Emergency: The Movement to Kill FEMA. This week, Micah takes a deep dive into the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in 2024, when conspiracy theories surged online, including the old rumors about FEMA camps. And we hear from a library worker who was rescued by raft during the storm, about the greatest obstacle she faced after the storm: bureaucracy.
Further reading / watching:
- “The simple statistical error Republican Supreme Court justices used to gut the VRA,” by G. Elliot Morris
- “This year’s U.S. House elections will be least competitive on record,” by G. Elliot Morris
- “Some N.C. residents distrust FEMA so much they’re hesitant to apply for hurricane aid,” by Brianna Sacks
- “How a conspiracy-fueled group got a foothold in this hurricane-battered town,” by Brianna Sacks
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Clips
Transcript preview
First 90 secondsSpeaker 10:00
In a six to three ruling, the court's conservative majority found that Louisiana's sixth district, which links Black communities across the state, relied too heavily on race in its design.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:11
The Supreme Court's latest decision grants states nearly unrestricted power to gerrymander, but the court majority's logic was less than airtight.
Speaker 30:22
The Supreme Court is assuming party and race are independent influences on your vote. In fact, we've figured out that party ID is downstream, is part of your racial identity.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:32
So what does all this mean for our elections and our democracy? From WNYC in New York, this is On The Media. I'm Brooke Gladstone. Also this week, the storm of misinformation that came in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
Speaker 10:47
The group called Hurricane Helene an act of war, claiming Hurricane Helene was caused by government-controlled weather weapons.
Brooke Gladstone· Host0:55
It's all coming up after this.
Speaker 30:57
From WNYC in New York, this is On The Media. I'm Micah Loewinger.
Brooke Gladstone· Host1:04
And I'm Brooke Gladstone. Late last month, a massive ruling came down from the Supreme Court, Louisiana versus Kelay.
Speaker 11:13
In a six to three ruling, the court's conservative majority found that Louisiana's sixth district, which links Black communities across the state, relied too heavily on race in its design.
Speaker 41:24
The decision could open the door to broader legal challenges over majority Black and Latino districts across