Category Archives: redistricting

“Racial Gerrymander Defender Next in Line if Va. Dems Go”

February 7, 2019, 7:34 amredistrictingRick Hasen

USLW: A constitutional crisis mainly driven by race and threatening to wipe out the Democratic executive leadership in Virginia could elevate a Republican fighting to preserve state voting districts that critics say disadvantage blacks.Kirk Cox, now the speaker of… Continue reading

“New emails show Michigan GOP used maps to consolidate Republican power”

February 4, 2019, 4:27 pmredistricting, UncategorizedRick Hasen

Bridge MI: New evidence submitted on the eve of a landmark trial challenging Michigan’s GOP-drawn legislative districts appears to strengthen the claim the maps were drawn in 2011 for partisan, Republican gain.Emails and other documents filed over the weekend in… Continue reading

“A Commissioner’s Guide to Redistricting in Michigan”

February 4, 2019, 3:05 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Sam Wang: Today we’re releasing a detailed report on Michigan’s new Independent Citizens’ Redistricting Commission!In November, Michigan voters overwhelmingly approved an amendment to their state constitution to remove the power of the state legislature to draw legislative and Congressional… Continue reading

“Voting Rights and Wrongs:” Watch Kathay Feng, Justin Levitt Michael Morley, Franita Tolson Discuss Voting and Gerrymandering Issues with Me at the Hammer Museum

February 3, 2019, 12:31 pmelection administration, redistricting, The Voting Wars, Voting Rights ActRick Hasen

You can watch this great conversation here. Voting Rights and Wrongs: Hammer Museum, Jan. 31, 2019

“Court rejects settlement in Michigan gerrymandering suit”

February 2, 2019, 9:17 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Detroit News: A lawsuit alleging partisan gerrymandering by Michigan’s Republican-led Legislature is heading toward trial next week after a three-judge panel rejected a settlement proposed by Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson and plaintiffs. Benson does not have the authority… Continue reading

Michigan: “GOP asks Supreme Court to block Dem settlement in gerrymandering suit”

January 25, 2019, 3:18 pmredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Detroit News: Michigan Republicans are asking the U.S. Supreme Court to hit pause on a federal lawsuit alleging GOP gerrymandering, a move that could disrupt a settlement agreement announced Friday by Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson. Benson’s deal… Continue reading

Supreme Court Will Hear Oral Argument in Partisan Gerrymandering Cases on March 26

January 25, 2019, 9:33 amredistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

And the Virginia racial gerrymandering case is on March 18. Michael Li: Just out: NC and MD partisan gerrymandering cases set for oral argument at SCOTUS on 3/26. #fairmaps #ncpol pic.twitter.com/BlkPcR4ima— Michael Li 李之樸 (@mcpli) January 25, 2019

Wisconsin Voters, Regardless of Party, Overwhelmingly Favor Nonpartisan Redistricting Commission

January 24, 2019, 11:58 amredistrictingRick Hasen

Marquette Poll of Wisconsin voters: Seventy-two percent of voters say they prefer redistricting of legislative and congressional districts to be done by a nonpartisan commission, while 18 percent prefer redistricting be done by the legislature and governor. Majorities in… Continue reading

“Federal court picks redrawn Va. House map that boosts Democrats’ chances of taking control”

January 23, 2019, 8:16 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Richmond Times-Dispatch: A federal court redrawing portions of Virginia’s House of Delegates map in a long-running racial gerrymandering case has picked a new configuration that could help Democrats retake control of the chamber this year and imperil the re-election… Continue reading

Mulroy: Gerrymandering: Courts And Commissions Won’t Save Us

January 23, 2019, 7:00 amredistrictingRick Hasen

The following is the second of three guest posts by University of Memphis law professor Steve Mulroy, sounding some themes from his fascinating new book, Rethinking US Election Law: Unskewing the System: This is the second of… Continue reading

“Michigan gerrymandering settlement focused on redrawing specific political districts”

January 20, 2019, 7:51 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

The Detroit News reports.

“Benson seeks to settle federal gerrymandering case”

January 17, 2019, 5:43 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Detroit News: Democratic Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson is working to settle a federal lawsuit against the state alleging partisan gerrymandering by Republican lawmakers who approved legislative and congressional district boundaries in 2011. Benson, who took office Jan. 1,… Continue reading

“Will Jocelyn Benson defend Michigan gerrymandering tactics she once fought?”

January 12, 2019, 4:59 pmredistrictingRick Hasen

Bridge: Nearly a decade after Republicans redrew Michigan’s political districts, a federal lawsuit is set for trial Feb. 5 to determine if they were illegally gerrymandered. Just one hiccup. The new defendant in the case – the one responsible… Continue reading