Category Archives: redistricting

Great New New York Election Resources

October 14, 2014, 1:57 pmelection administration, election law biz, redistrictingJustin Levitt

From Jim Gardner, Michael Halberstam, and Jeff Wice, and the Jaeckle Center for Law, Democracy and Governance at Buffalo Law School, two great new resources for New York elections. The first is New York Elections News, a blog covering… Continue reading

“Ballot Item Would Reform Redistricting, at Least in Theory”

October 13, 2014, 9:34 amdirect democracy, redistrictingJustin Levitt

A NY Times report about the constitutional amendment on the ballot in New York to change the redistricting structure. Unlike other states that have recently changed their redistricting process (like California and Florida), New York has no citizens’ ballot… Continue reading

Va. Governor Changes Political Calculus for New Cong. Districts

October 12, 2014, 8:53 amredistrictingJustin Levitt

According to the Richmond Times-Dispatch, it’s been nearly 25 years since a Democratic governor signed off on Virginia’s plan to draw congressional districts.

“Things to Know About Political Mapmaking in Ohio”

October 12, 2014, 8:52 amredistrictingJustin Levitt

The AP discusses the redistricting-related work of the Ohio Constitutional Modernization Commission.

“Ohio is No Battleground for House Races”

October 11, 2014, 4:02 pmpolitical polarization, redistrictingJustin Levitt

USA Today reports on the absence of pitched partisan contests in the congressional races of the bellwether state of Ohio.

Virginia Gov. McAuliffe Talks Redistricting

October 10, 2014, 12:10 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

In this clip. The legislature’s going to have to get his support for new districts next year, after the trial court struck down the congressional map (for 2016 elections).

No Fees for FL Redistricting Plaintiffs

October 10, 2014, 12:49 amredistrictingJustin Levitt

The trial judge in Florida who struck Florida’s congressional district map has denied legal fees for the successful plaintiffs. Orders for legal fees seem like they’re in the weeds, but particularly on cases as complicated and cumbersome as redistricting, they… Continue reading

Redistricting Made Simple

October 9, 2014, 2:43 amredistrictingJustin Levitt

Change IL has a great new animated digital tool explaining how redistricting works. Even those who don’t like redistricting commissions have 18 slides to love.

“Court declares Virginia’s congressional map unconstitutional”

October 7, 2014, 7:53 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

WaPo reports.

The Virginia redistricting decision

October 7, 2014, 3:59 pmelection law and constitutional law, redistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

Rick mentioned the Virginia congressional redistricting decision earlier today. I’ve already seen some confusion about this: the decision doesn’t depend on Shelby County. Indeed, as I read it, the decision would have been exactly the the same if Shelby County… Continue reading

Breaking: Federal Court Strikes Va. Congressional Redistricting Map

October 7, 2014, 12:24 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

In a 2-1 vote, a three judge federal court has rejected part of Virginia’s congressional redistricting as unconstitutional. The majority ruled that the redistricting involving a majority-minority district violated the equal protection clause as an unconstitutional racial gerrymander (a Shaw… Continue reading

“Judicial Redistricting and the Article I State Legislature”

October 3, 2014, 7:45 amelection administration, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

This Saul Zipkin piece from 2003 could be useful in thinking about the Arizona redistricting case the Supreme Court has agreed to take. Here is the abstract: Article I of the Constitution commits primary responsibility for the setting of time,… Continue reading