Category Archives: redistricting

The Profound Ahistoricism of Moore v. Harper

December 6, 2022, 1:43 pmredistrictingIndependent State Legislature Doctrine, Moore v. HarperTabatha Abu El-Haj

The Supreme Court will hear arguments tomorrow about the scope of state legislative authority to determine “the time, place, and manner” of federal elections. Petitioners’ position is that state legislatures are freed from state constitutional constraints when they make decisions… Continue reading

“Republicans’ Supreme Court argument on redistricting could backfire”

December 2, 2022, 7:01 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Sam Wang oped for WaPo: But if the Republicans win in the U.S. Supreme Court, the result on a national scale would almost certainly benefit Democrats. Why? Because outside North Carolina, only swing states and blue states have curbed… Continue reading

“How redistricting shaped the midterms”

November 25, 2022, 12:33 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Politico: Both parties entered the latest redistricting cycle seeking to press their advantages where they could. The first election held under the new lines showed both succeeded — though Democrats had their most ruthless gerrymanders thrown out in the courts… Continue reading

“Democrats lost their House majority due to Independent Redistricting Commissions; Are IRCs ineffective because they are trumped by Winner Take All elections? Have they outlived their usefulness?”

November 22, 2022, 6:28 pmalternative voting systems, redistrictingRick Hasen

Steven Hill ponders.

“Flip of Michigan Legislature highlights role of fair maps”

November 22, 2022, 10:45 amredistrictingRick Hasen

AP: Democratic candidates for the Michigan House and Senate won a majority of votes this year, translating into their party winning control of both legislative chambers. That may seem like a natural result, but it hasn’t been in previous… Continue reading

“House Democrats’ path back to the majority could run through the Supreme Court”

November 22, 2022, 6:36 amredistrictingRick Hasen

WaPo: Democrats are suing to overturn congressional maps in six states they weren’t able to undo before the midterm elections: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Ohio and Texas. If courts side with them, Democrats believe it could be the difference between… Continue reading

“Did Republicans Gerrymander Their Way to Victory?”

November 21, 2022, 10:27 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Sam Wang for The Atlantic: Republicans have gained control of the House of Representatives, but their majority will be tiny. Such close division has triggered many what-if discussions. Some have focused on New York, where Democrats performed poorly. The… Continue reading

“Supreme Court dismisses challenge to Texas state legislative maps”

November 21, 2022, 8:29 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

CNN: The Supreme Court on Monday dismissed a challenge to Texas state legislative maps that critics say intentionally dilute minority voting power and result in an illegal racial gerrymander. At the center of the dispute is Senate District 10, which… Continue reading

“Gerrymandering, hubris and court fights: How redistricting shaped the battle for the House”

November 6, 2022, 9:24 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Politico reports.

“Kentucky Law Journal Symposium Friday: “Drawing the Lines: Redistricting After the 2020 Census”

October 13, 2022, 7:28 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Great lineup! Details. Videos of each session will be posted to the KLJ website by early next week. ’

“How Ron DeSantis Blew Up Black-Held Congressional Districts and May Have Broken Florida Law”

October 11, 2022, 10:20 amredistrictingRick Hasen

ProPublica: Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis was incensed. Late last year, the state’s Republican legislature had drawn congressional maps that largely kept districts intact, leaving the GOP with only a modest electoral advantage.DeSantis threw out the legislature’s work and redrew… Continue reading

“Why Republicans Could Prevail in the Popular Vote but Lose in the House”

October 11, 2022, 7:19 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Nate Cohn for the NYT: Over the last few decades, we’ve gotten accustomed to the idea that Democrats could easily win the popular vote but struggle to win control of government.This time, there’s a chance of a reversal. After years… Continue reading

Redistricting Discussion at Heart of Leaked Racist Discussion by LA City Council Members; Jessica Levinson on the Legal Implications

October 10, 2022, 5:17 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

From the LA Times bombshell report: Still, much of the conversation focused on the maps that had been proposed by the city’s redistricting commission. Martinez voiced frustration that the panel had proposed removing a number of economic assets from her… Continue reading

Supreme Court declines to hear Pennsylvania Redistricting Case raising ISL theory

October 3, 2022, 11:42 amredistricting, Supreme Court, UncategorizedFranita Tolson

The U.S. Supreme Court has declined to hear Costello v. Carter, which involved a challenge to Pennsylvania’s court approved congressional map. The Pennsylvania Supreme Court adopted the map after a deadlock between the Republican legislature and the Democratic governor. Notably,… Continue reading