Category Archives: redistricting

Fishkin on the SCOTUS AZ Redistricting Decision

July 9, 2015, 7:35 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

At Balkinization: Constitutional problem-solving plays a complex role in constitutional interpretation and adjudication. It is not a license to read principles into the Constitution that are not there, or to ignore principles that are there. It is not a… Continue reading

Read the Complaint in the New Wisconsin Redistricting Case

July 8, 2015, 4:46 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Here. Note the reliance on the McGhee-Stephanopoulos “efficiency gap.”

“Don’t celebrate redistricting commissions”

July 8, 2015, 2:35 pmcitizen commissions, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Former CO SOS Scott Gessler in the Denver Post: Before celebrating redistricting commissions, The Denver Post should look at Colorado’s history with its so-called “independent” reapportionment commission. For three decades now, that commission has ruthlessly carved out partisan gerrymanders for… Continue reading

Post-Remand Brief from Alabama Democrats Now Available

July 8, 2015, 12:04 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

You can read the brief here, co-authored by Rick Pildes. It includes an extensive discussion of the meaning and scope of the Supreme Court’s Alabama redistricting case.

“Democrats sue state election officials over 2011 redistricting”

July 8, 2015, 7:27 amredistrictingRick Hasen

News from Wisconsin: A group of Democrats sued state election officials Wednesday over election maps Republicans drew in 2011 that helped give them a firm grip on the Legislature. The lawsuit comes two years after a panel of three federal… Continue reading

Bauer Critical of SCOTUS AZ Redistricting Decision and Renzi Cert. Denial

July 7, 2015, 9:17 amredistricting, Speech or Debate Clause, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Interesting read: The doctrinal fine points are open to be debate, but it is hard to escape the impression that Court believes readily in the failures of the democratic process and the part played in this breakdown by self-interested legislators. … Continue reading

“Analysis: Despite Ruling, Redistricting Reformers Pessimistic”

July 6, 2015, 8:15 amElections Clause, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Ross Ramsey in the Texas Tribune: Texas does not have an independent redistricting commission and is probably not going to get one. But the lawmakers who have been ignoring the idea for years lost one of their excuses: In a… Continue reading

“One for the People”

July 6, 2015, 8:11 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Steven Mazie for The Economist on the SCOTUS AZ redistricting case.

“Democrats Make Advances, but House Still Proves Elusive”

July 6, 2015, 7:11 amlegislation and legislatures, political parties, political polarization, redistrictingRick Hasen

John Harwood NYT: From one vantage point, recent advances on race, gay rights and health care give the impression of powerful momentum for America’s liberal Democrats. But inside one of Washington’s power centers, they are running straight into a wall… Continue reading

“Accusations fly as NC House changes course on Greensboro redistricting”

July 5, 2015, 8:22 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

News and Observer: After a heated debate that featured accusations of deception and Senate coercion, the N.C. House rapidly changed course Thursday on legislation that would change how the Greensboro City Council is elected. The bill – now a… Continue reading

#SCOTUS Slightly Limits Review in New AZ Redistricting Case

July 2, 2015, 9:51 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

On Tuesday I discussed the Supreme Court’s agreement to hear Harris v. Arizona Ind. Redistricting Commission (more background from Justin here and from Lyle Denniston here.) At the time I initially wrote up the case, I had not reviewed… Continue reading

“Independently Drawn Districts Have Proved to Be More Competitive”

July 1, 2015, 9:16 amcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

NYT’s The UpShot.

Once Again, Justice Ginsburg Not Only Corrects Small Error in Opinion But Announces It

July 1, 2015, 8:24 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

On Monday, I noted a small error in Justice Ginsburg’s AZ redistricting commission that a reader pointed out to me. When a similar thing happened with the Texas voter id case, Justice Ginsburg promptly corrected the error and announced it,… Continue reading

“Redistricting litigation persists in key states despite court ruling”

June 30, 2015, 7:29 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Politico: The Supreme Court may have knocked out the best-known challenge to existing congressional districts in a number of states on Monday, but maps still remain in flux for 2016 in three important, large battleground states: Florida, North Carolina… Continue reading