Category Archives: redistricting

Three-Judge Federal Court, on 2-1 Vote, Rejects Partisan Gerrymandering Challenge to Pa. Congressional Districts Under the Elections Clause

January 10, 2018, 3:24 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Via the Brennan Center’s Agre v. Wolf page, there are the three opinions (the final one is the dissent): Final Judgment (January 10, 2018) Memorandum by Honorable Judge Smith (January 10, 2018) Memorandum by Honorable Judge Shwartz (January 10,… Continue reading

“North Carolina Congressional Map Ruled Unconstitutionally Gerrymandered”

January 10, 2018, 7:36 amredistrictingRick Hasen

NYT reports. My earlier coverage is here. Nick offers his thoughts.

Profs. Grofman and Gaddie Team Up Again to Write Brief on Partisan Gerrymandering (This Time in Pa. Supreme Court Case)

January 8, 2018, 8:24 amredistrictingRick Hasen

You can read it at this link.

“Podcast: Gerrymandering and American democracy”

January 5, 2018, 1:55 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

National Constitution Center: In the Gill case this year, the Supreme Court might determine the constitutional future of partisan gerrymandering. Scholars and advocates have been discussing the arguments at the heart of the case – as well as those involved… Continue reading

NC: “Redistricting hearing signals coming end to map-making saga”

January 5, 2018, 12:58 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

WRAL: GREENSBORO, N.C. — A long legal saga over North Carolina’s state legislative maps drew near an end Friday as a panel of federal judges heard closing arguments over which version of those maps to use during this year’s statehouse… Continue reading

“Two Ways of Looking at Gerrymandering”

January 4, 2018, 4:22 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Linda Greenhouse contrasting Benisk and Gill. I did my own compare and contrast of the cases last month in the LA Times.

“Alarm at Proposal to Ask About Citizenship Status in Census”

January 2, 2018, 7:34 pmelection administration, redistrictingRick Hasen

Must-read NYT: A request by the Justice Department to ask people about their citizenship status in the 2020 census is stirring a broad backlash from census experts and others who say the move could wreck chances for an accurate count… Continue reading

“How far into 2018 before NC knows shape of election districts in gerrymander case?”

January 1, 2018, 1:54 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

News and Observer: At the 9:30 a.m. hearing in Greensboro on Friday, the judges will hear arguments for and against Persily’s proposed election district changes in Cumberland, Guilford, Hoke, Mecklenburg, Wake, Bladen, Sampson and Wayne counties. In his 69-page report… Continue reading

“In gerrymandering case, judge recommends Pa. Supreme Court uphold congressional map”

December 31, 2017, 4:03 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Philly Inquirer: Commonwealth Court judge recommended Friday that the Pennsylvania Supreme Court uphold the state’s map of congressional districts in a high-profile gerrymandering lawsuit that challenges the map as unconstitutionally drawn to benefit Republicans. Democrats hold a 5-2 majority on… Continue reading

“Some Change in Apportionment Allocations With New 2017 Census Estimates; But Greater Change Likely by 2020 “

December 21, 2017, 11:47 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Election Data Services: New Census Bureau population estimates for 2017 released today shows a change of two more seats between four states from last year’s study generated by Election Data Services, Inc. on which states would gain or lose… Continue reading

Supreme Court May Decide The First Week in January to Set Texas Redistricting Cases for Argument

December 21, 2017, 11:25 amredistricting, Supreme Court, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

Congressional docket. State case. Given that the Court has already issued a stay in each of these cases it is almost certain the Court will set them for argument, with a result likely this term. This means we… Continue reading

Odd Fight Among Political Science Experts in Pa. Redistricting Case

December 11, 2017, 7:45 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

See this motion. (via Michael McDonald)

“Is the Supreme Court finally ready to tackle partisan gerrymandering? Signs suggest yes”

December 11, 2017, 9:55 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

I have written this oped for the LA Times. A snippet: Maybe there is some technical problem with the Gill case — such as a lack of standing for the plaintiffs — that would prevent the court from deciding it… Continue reading

Maybe Justice Kennedy is Reading Ned Foley on Why the Maryland Redistricting Case is a Better One Than Wisconsin?

December 10, 2017, 11:46 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Just a reminder that Ned’s piece upcoming in the blockbuster William and Mary Law Review symposium on gerrymandering makes the case for Justice Kennedy to use the Maryland case (which the Court just agreed to hear) rather than the Wisconsin… Continue reading