Category Archives: redistricting

“A GOP power grab shatters 30 years of political progress for Black voters in Galveston County “

May 21, 2022, 7:14 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActShelby County's impactTabatha Abu El-Haj

Texas Tribune reports that “Republicans dismantled the only Galveston County commissioners precinct in which voters of color held political clout.” “Carver Park in Texas City, created during segregation, is considered the first African American county park in the state. It… Continue reading

“House Democrats scramble after redistricting lessens competitive edge”

May 21, 2022, 7:07 pmredistricting2022 redistrictingTabatha Abu El-Haj

Washington Post Court rulings in Florida and New York have Democrats working harder to keep their seats. The article offers a round up of the likely political effect of the new maps. Two tidbits stand out: First, “Redistricting . .… Continue reading

2022 Redistricting Likely to Undercut Strides Made by Women in Recent Elections

May 21, 2022, 8:11 amredistricting2022 redistricting, Gender EquityTabatha Abu El-Haj

The AP reports on new analysis from the Center for American Women in Politics at Rutgers University which looks at the likely negative impact of new congressional maps on female incumbents. It appears that being the last to the table… Continue reading

“Final New York maps released and lead to midnight shuffle of congressional delegation”

May 21, 2022, 7:58 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Politico: A court released final maps for New York’s 26 congressional and 63 state Senate districts in the midnight hour on Saturday morning, setting in motion a flurry of campaign activity as candidates quickly jockeyed for position in critical seats.The… Continue reading

Kentucky Law Journal Inviting Proposals: Drawing the Lines: Redistricting After the 2020 Census

May 19, 2022, 12:43 pmredistrictingUpcoming SymposiumTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Kentucky Law Journal is pleased to invite proposals for its annual symposium, which will be held on October 14, 2022. The KLJ symposium is entitled Drawing the Lines: Redistricting After the 2020 Census and will focus on the legal… Continue reading

Kansas Supreme Court Upholds Congressional Maps

May 18, 2022, 9:48 amredistricting2020 Redistricting CycleTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Kansas City Star reports that the Kansas Supreme Court, in a short opinion that will be issued soon, “has upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map that divides racially diverse Wyandotte County for the first time in 40 years,” having decided… Continue reading

Breaking News: Preliminary N.Y. Maps Released

May 16, 2022, 9:34 amredistrictingTabatha Abu El-Haj

Michael Li of Brennan Center notes: “Special master Jonathan Cervas has released his initial draft of a replacement New York congressional map. Interested parties have until Wed, 5/18 to submit comments. Final maps will be released Fri, 5/20.” Analysis on… Continue reading

“Missouri legislature passes new congressional map, ending monthslong redistricting stalemate”

May 14, 2022, 1:46 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Springfield News-Leader: The Missouri Senate approved a new congressional map for the state on Thursday evening, pushing a last-minute proposal through the chamber despite continued opposition from some Republicans.Passage of the map comes after nearly five months of infighting and… Continue reading

“Judge throws out DeSantis congressional map, orders new map drawn by expert”

May 12, 2022, 6:53 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Miami Herald: In a swift reversal of Gov. Ron DeSantis’ bold political gambit, a Leon County Circuit Court judge on Wednesday threw out the new congressional map drawn by the governor and approved by legislators, ordering a new map… Continue reading

“Ohio’s redistricting mess threatens a smooth election in November”

May 9, 2022, 5:31 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Carrie Levine reports for VoteBeat.

“N.Y. Redistricting Master Holds Key to Congressional Power”

May 9, 2022, 11:26 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Bloomberg Law: For the next two weeks, one of the most powerful people in politics is a professor whose professional life has been devoted to studying demographics, political behavior, and mapping.Jonathan Cervas has until May 20 to redraw New… Continue reading

Law Professors’ Amicus Brief Urges Ohio Supreme Court to Adopt Its Own New Maps for Redistricting to Remedy Federal Constitutional Violation

May 6, 2022, 7:17 amredistrictingRick Hasen

It‘s a smart argument.

“Judge mocks New York Democrats’ redistricting ‘Hail Mary’ case”

May 5, 2022, 7:14 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Politico: A federal judge Wednesday denied Democrats a request for an emergency injunction to have New York use Democratic-drawn district lines for congressional elections.Then the judge proceeded to relentlessly mock every aspect of their request.The case stems from the… Continue reading

The Conservative Case for Proportional Representation

April 29, 2022, 5:37 amalternative voting systems, redistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActNed Foley

In the wake of New York’s redistricting decision this week, Washington Post columnist Henry Olsen urges Congress to reach a bipartisan agreement to end gerrymandering and offers three ways to do that. All three deserve attention, and I suspect that… Continue reading