Category Archives: redistricting

“Intent is Enough: Invidious Partisanship in Redistricting”

August 1, 2017, 6:54 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Justin Levitt has written this piece for the William and Mary redistricting symposium. Here is the abstract: When the Supreme Court last seriously grappled with partisan gerrymandering, all nine Justices concluded that too much partisanship in the redistricting process violates… Continue reading

3-Judge Court Denies Request for Special NC Elections in 2017 But Orders Legislature to Hurry Up for 2018

July 31, 2017, 4:49 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

You can find the court’s unanimous 11-page opinion here. It is clear that the judges (1) think the NCGA dragged its feet repeatedly but (2) it is too late for 2017 special elections. The delay worked in the state’s… Continue reading

“Gov. Greg Abbott: How George Soros is helping Obama Democrats buy their way back to power”

July 30, 2017, 1:24 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Interesting oped in the Wash. Examiner.

“NC’s redistricting fiasco needs a rapid redrawing of districts”

July 30, 2017, 12:06 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

News & Observer editorial: The worst-kept secret on Jones Street is that Republicans probably have maps for new legislative districts in a locked drawer somewhere. This, while they’re pretending, in court hearings, to be worried about having enough time to… Continue reading

Wisconsin Files Its Opening Brief on the Merits in Supreme Court Partisan Gerrymandering Case

July 28, 2017, 1:39 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Read it here.

“‘You don’t seem serious,’ federal judge tells NC legislative leaders about redistricting efforts”

July 28, 2017, 8:11 amredistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

News & Observer: Federal judges had pointed questions and comments Thursday for the lawyer representing North Carolina lawmakers who have not yet complied with the panel’s order to draw new districts for electing General Assembly members. The judges want the… Continue reading

“Partisan Gerrymandering and the Illusion of Unfairness”

July 28, 2017, 8:07 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Jacob Eisler has posted this draft on SSRN (forthcoming, Catholic Law Review). Here is the abstract: Partisan gerrymandering is frequently condemned for distorting democracy and causing unfair representation, and many reformers have called upon federal courts to prohibit the practice.… Continue reading

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