My 'Bama Says: October 2025

Diane, democracy is on the ballot in California — and what happens there on Tuesday affects all of us.

When Texas Republicans passed a racially gerrymandered map on Trump's orders, it triggered a destructive domino effect threatening fair representation nationwide, from Indiana to Missouri to North Carolina, and beyond.

That's why California's ballot measure to temporarily redraw its map is so important. Not only does it throw sand in the gears of the Republican plan to rig the midterms, it also stands in stark contrast to Texas's egregious, authoritarian power grab by doing what Donald Trump and the Republican Party refuse to do: Let the damn voters decide.

Our opponents also recognize just how critical this ballot measure in California is. Look no further than the $5 million House Speaker Mike Johnson's super PAC dumped into this race.

President Obama and I started the National Democratic Redistricting Committee because our democracy needs champions who will fight for fairness, especially when others are only concerned with their own power.

This is an all-hands-on-deck moment. Republicans are attempting egregious power grabs across the country. Will you donate today to help power the movement to defend our democracy from those who want to break it?

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Diane, let's be clear about why this is happening. Our democracy is under threat because Republicans fear the judgment of the voters. President Trump and his enablers want to insulate themselves from the will of the people by manipulating maps in the hopes of predetermining an illegitimate victory.

I admire that the people of California refuse to let them get away with it. But this fight is a lot bigger than just one state — and it's up to people like you and me to do our part to stop anti-democracy efforts wherever they arise.

Please rush an urgent donation today to help us continue fighting to protect the foundations of our democracy.

Sincerely,

Eric H. Holder, Jr.
82nd Attorney General of the United States

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Since 2017, the NDRC has executed a comprehensive redistricting strategy that shifts the redistricting power, creating fair districts where Democrats can compete. Our victories have been made possible by our strong community of grassroots supporters.

If you want to receive periodic updates from the NDRC on our fight for fair maps, text MAPS to 36787. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply. Privacy Policy.

We know we send a lot of emails, but we think it's important to keep you updated with the latest information on Republican gerrymandering and voter suppression and how we're fighting back -- regardless of whether you choose to donate. Click here to make a donation. Every dollar you give will go toward our fight to end gerrymandering and voter suppression.

Paid for by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, John Bisognano, President.

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Diane, you have more power than you realize

Diane,

When you run for office, you know you're going to hear from plenty of folks who don't agree with you. Trust me, I've caught plenty of flak from voters over the years.

But that's part of the job. As an elected official in a democracy, your job is to serve the people. That means you have to face voters directly and defend your policy choices. And if they don't agree with you? Well, you just might get voted out of office.

That's democracy. It's how the system is supposed to work. But right now, Republicans across the country, in lockstep with the White House, want to break that system. They have increasingly recognized that their ideas won't sell, so they're trying to rig the game, by drawing maps that splinter Democratic voting blocs or pack Democrats into just one district so that they don't have influence in other districts.

By redrawing electoral maps in states like Texas and Missouri in the middle of the decade, they're trying to rewrite the rules of the game so they can't lose. They want an America where politicians can pick their voters — rather than voters picking their politicians.

Eric Holder and I founded the National Democratic Redistricting Committee to push back on these extreme partisan power grabs that put our democracy in peril. Can we count on you to stand with us and support this cause with a donation right now?

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Here's the bigger problem: More Republican-led states are vowing to follow Texas and Missouri's lead, and are planning to manipulate their own maps to benefit the Republican Party. Legislatures in Ohio and Indiana are considering extreme partisan redistricting measures that would take away representation from entire communities. In Kansas, some legislators are openly scheming to eliminate the district of the only Democratic representative in the state's delegation and one of the first Native American women ever elected to Congress.

And this anti-democracy effort to silence voters isn't just taking place in state legislatures. This administration's Department of Justice filed a brief with the U.S. Supreme Court, trying to significantly weaken the part of the Voting Rights Act that prohibits the dilution of minority voting power.

Let me be clear: These types of power grabs remind us that democracy is not a given. It requires us to fight for it — especially in moments like this.

The NDRC is the leading organization fighting back against these Republican power grabs. But we can't do this without your support. Join me in taking a stand for our democracy — make a donation of whatever you can today.

Thank you,

Barack Obama

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A.G. Holder: If the NDRC is successful in undoing manipulated maps, we will be able to achieve a system in which everyone's vote counts.

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Paid for by the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, John Bisognano, President.

My 'Bama Says

Friday, October 31, 2025

About California

Tuesday, October 28, 2025

Diane, you have more power than you realize

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