Category Archives: redistricting
As redistricting eyes turn again to California
Justin here. I find much of the work of the UCLA Voting Rights Project to be really valuable — but I have to say, I agree with Rick’s take on their read of the California Constitution‘s provisions on redistricting.… Continue reading
UCLA Voting Rights Project Experts Argue, Wrongly in My View, that the California Legislature Could Engage in Re-Redistricting California’s Congressional Districts without Voter Approval
What a difference half a day makes.
Contrary to the earlier reporting from Politico that California Democrats might try to call a special election to get voter approval for a Democratic gerrymander of congressional districts (to counter the expected… Continue reading
“Texas House Republicans unveil new congressional map that looks to pick up five GOP seats”
Texas Tribune:
Texas GOP lawmakers released their first draft of the state’s new congressional map Wednesday, proposing revamped district lines that attempt to flip five Democratic seats in next year’s midterm elections.
The new map targets Democratic members of… Continue reading
“How Newsom could redraw career ambitions”
California Playbook:
MAPPING IT OUT: The potential contours of a snap California redistrict are coming into focus (more on the politics of that exercise below).
Attorney General Rob Bonta suggested yesterday that lawmakers could put a new, fully realized map before voters… Continue reading
“In Fight for House, New York May Follow Texas in Redrawing Maps”
NYT:
If Texas lawmakers follow through on President Trump’s call to redraw state congressional maps to help the Republican Party, New York leaders say they want to be ready to respond in kind.
Democrats in the State Assembly and Senate… Continue reading
“Democrats Plan $20 Million Fund to Target Texas Republicans for Redistricting”
NYT:
The largest super PAC backing House Democrats is creating a new fund with upward of $20 million to target congressional Republicans in Texas if legislators there follow through on plans to redraw district lines to eliminate Democratic seats ahead… Continue reading
The Prospect of Bailing-in Alabama
Tomorrow, the three-judge district court in the Alabama congressional redistricting litigation will hold a hearing on whether to bail-in Alabama to the VRA’s preclearance regime. If bailed-in, Alabama would have to seek preapproval for any redistricting changes from either DOJ… Continue reading
Bruce Cain and Matt Barreto Comment on the Viability of a California Mid-Decade Redistricting
Via Politico:
“I don’t think it’s doable. I think there are too many constitutional constraints,” said Bruce Cain, a Stanford political scientist who was deeply involved as a staffer in the partisan gerrymanders from a prior era of California politics.… Continue reading
“Democrats desperately look for a redistricting edge in California, New York and Maryland”
Politico on the limited options available to counter Republican redistricting efforts in Texas, Ohio, and Missouri:
In conversations with more than a dozen state lawmakers and redistricting experts, Democrats’ best shot at redrawing a map lies in California, a heavily… Continue reading
Waiting for Callais
Earlier today, Rick Pildes flagged the Court’s inexplicable month-long delay in issuing a re-argument order in Louisiana v. Callais, last Term’s—and now next Term’s—major Shaw case. I agree with Pildes’s concerns and want to add a few points.
First, to… Continue reading
Texas Redistricting Hearing
NYT and Texas Tribune report on yesterday’s hearing in Austin before a select committee of the Texas house on redrawing the state’s congressional districts. From the Texas Tribune story:
The Legislature has not yet revealed any proposed revisions of… Continue reading
“Could Missouri get caught up in a redistricting frenzy? It’s looking likely”
STLPR reports:
President Donald Trump wants Missouri to join in on a mid-decade redistricting extravaganza ahead of the midterm elections, according to a Missouri GOP congressman.
But if Missouri Republicans do target Missouri’s Kansas City-based 5th District at the behest… Continue reading
“Texas plan to redraw maps could protect GOP House majority”
Washington Post:
After the 2020 Census, Texas Republicans drew lines to protect incumbents instead of maximizing their chances of gaining more seats. In establishing new lines this year, they could give themselves opportunities in several districts. Under the current… Continue reading