Category Archives: redistricting

“Developing a Speech or Debate Clause Framework for Redistricting Litigation”

July 15, 2013, 4:34 pmredistricting, Speech or Debate ClauseRick Hasen

Christopher Asta has posted this draft on SSRN (NYU Law Review). Here is the abstract: The Speech or Debate Clause of the U.S. Constitution protects legislators from being “questioned” at trial about their legislative acts. This protection shields legislators from… Continue reading

“Why Texas Republicans Aren’t Trusted To Protect Minority Voters”

July 15, 2013, 12:01 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

TPM reports.

“Redistricting Wars; The hidden story of the 2012 elections”

July 14, 2013, 1:12 pmcitizen commissions, redistricting, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Steven Malanga: Every ten years, after the U.S. Census releases its latest population reports, most of the 50 states begin the complicated process of drawing new election districts. As you might expect, partisan bickering and maneuvering inevitably distort things.… Continue reading

“Supreme Court rules against Legislature in redistricting case”

July 11, 2013, 2:56 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

The Buzz (Tampa Bay Times): The Florida Supreme Court on Thursday handed a legal setback to the state Legislature, ruling that a legal challenge to the remapping of Senate districts can go forward in a lower court. The 5-2 decision… Continue reading

“NC redistricting decision a setback for voting rights”

July 10, 2013, 11:57 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Brentin Mock writes for Facing South.

“Press round up: Maneuvering on Texas redistricting & voter ID”

July 8, 2013, 3:36 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Here, at Texas Redistricting.

“Court upholds redrawn NC voting maps”

July 8, 2013, 1:13 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

WRAL reports.

“New Texas Voting Disputes”

July 3, 2013, 5:47 pmredistricting, Supreme Court, The Voting Wars, voter id, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

SCOTUSBlog reports.

Major Voting Rights Development: Intervenors Seeks to Have Texas Bailed In Under Section 3 of the Voting Rights Act -corrected

July 3, 2013, 10:16 amredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

This just-filed motion by Defendant Intervenors in the Texas redistricting case is a BFD: The State of Texas is undoubtedly the prime example of why at least some pre-enforcement review under the Voting Rights Act is still necessary to vindicate… Continue reading

“Geography Does Not Necessarily Lead to Pro-Republican Gerrymandering”

July 2, 2013, 9:12 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Michael McDonald: Geographically compact plans that are also politically fair — drawn by the public — serve as counter-examples disproving the contention that Democrats gerrymander themselves. In some cases, these plans were drawn by college students, showing that students… Continue reading

In the weeds of continuing litigation in Texas

June 30, 2013, 12:34 pmredistricting, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

The El Paso Times talks redistricting.

All About Redistricting back on track

June 29, 2013, 4:13 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

Some of you may have noticed that it’s been something of a busy week in the world of election law (and beyond). What with trying to keep up with the flood of news and reaction and commentary and speculation here… Continue reading

Redistricting road for Texas state Senate map comes to an end

June 29, 2013, 4:03 pmredistrictingJustin Levitt

Readers may remember that, almost exactly two years ago, Texas decided to seek preclearance for its redistricting plans — including the state Senate plan — in a DC federal court, rather than submitting the plans to the Department of Justice. … Continue reading

“Voting Rights Ruling: It Had to Happen Sometime”

June 29, 2013, 11:18 amredistricting, Voting Rights ActJustin Levitt

This opinion piece repeats a claim I’ve heard often recently: section 5 buttressed Republican political fortunes by helping Republicans with control over redistricting overpack Democrats; now, things will change. That’s a claim that still strikes me as wrong. If Republicans… Continue reading