Category Archives: redistricting

Tam Cho on the Efficiency Gap

July 28, 2017, 7:55 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Important piece at the University of Pennsylvania Law Review Online by Wendy Tam Cho on the “efficiency gap,” at the centerpiece of the Wisconsin redistricting case. It begins: The efficiency gap has recently been touted as a general partisan fairness… Continue reading

“The way out of partisan gerrymandering”

July 27, 2017, 6:46 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Christian Century editorial.

“GOP mapmaker behind NC’s illegal gerrymanders back at the drawing table again”

July 26, 2017, 6:49 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

News and Observer: Republican leaders have tapped a familiar consultant to help with the drawing of new districts for electing General Assembly members after maps he drew six years ago were found by the federal courts to include illegal racial… Continue reading

“Democrats’ short-lived 2012 recall victory led to key evidence in partisan gerrymandering case”

July 25, 2017, 7:31 amrecall elections, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Madison.com: By most accounts, the 2011 and 2012 gubernatorial and Senate recall elections were a complete disaster for Wisconsin Democrats. Gov. Scott Walker’s historic victory boosted his fundraising and re-election prospects. The recall petition became a litmus test for party… Continue reading

Utah: “San Juan County election maps must be redrawn again, U.S. judge rules”

July 23, 2017, 8:54 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

AP: The boundaries of election districts in a southeastern Utah county are unconstitutional and violate the rights of American Indians who make up roughly half the county’s population, a federal judge has ruled for the second time. San Juan County,… Continue reading

“Ruth Bader Ginsburg: Gerrymandering Case May Be Most Important Decision SCOTUS Face”

July 23, 2017, 8:43 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

HuffPost: Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg says a case dealing with how far political parties can go to draw election districts to their benefit might be the “most important” the court will hear next term. Ginsburg made … Continue reading

3-Judge Court has 45 Questions for Parties in Texas Redistricting Trial to Address at Saturday Trial Closing

July 14, 2017, 1:55 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Wow.

“Why Democrats are taking aim at gerrymandering”

July 12, 2017, 6:45 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Steve Mazie for the Economist on Gil v. Whitford.

Two from Ned Foley: One on Due Process and Elections, the Other on Partisan Gerrymandering

July 11, 2017, 8:44 amredistricting, theoryRick Hasen

The U Chicago Law Review has posted Ned’s Due Process, Fair Play, and Excessive Partisanship: A New Principle for Judicial Review of Election Laws. This is one of Ned’s most significant pieces tying together historical research, jurisprudence, and judicial… Continue reading

“The research that convinced SCOTUS to take the Wisconsin gerrymandering case, explained”

July 11, 2017, 7:52 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Nick Stephanopoulos for Vox.

“With 2018 election looming, Texas back in court over political maps”

July 10, 2017, 8:23 amredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Texas Tribune on the latest trial, starting today, in the never-ending Texas redistricting case.

NY: “Redistricting panel with diminished role lives on with $1.5 million budget”

July 10, 2017, 7:58 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Times Union: “It’s a place for patronage and to allow the respective houses to stay on top of demographic changes,” Dadey said. “They can know which seats to protect or where there are new opportunities.” Indeed, the minority parties have… Continue reading

Today’s Must-Read: Reihan Salam and Rob Richie on How to Make Congress More Bipartisan Through Ranked Choice Voting

July 8, 2017, 9:22 pmabsentee ballots, redistrictingRick Hasen

Great NYT oped: Next term the Supreme Court will hear a challenge to Wisconsin’s election maps that could lead to a precedent-setting ruling against partisan gerrymandering — the problematic process whereby incumbents draw legislative boundaries to help their fellow partisans.… Continue reading

“Texas Redistricting Back in Court”

July 7, 2017, 2:27 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Michael Li: On July 10, a three-judge panel in Texas begins a week-long trial over the state’s congressional and state house plans. Here’s what you need to know.