Category Archives: citizen commissions

“Neil Gorsuch’s Bad-Faith Ploy to Save Partisan Gerrymandering and Doom American Democracy”

March 28, 2019, 1:02 pmcitizen commissions, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Mark Joseph Stern for Slate: As Talking Points Memo’s Tierney Sneed has observed, Gorsuch’s question effectively weaponizes redistricting reform as an argument againstfederal court intervention. His solution—let the people solve the problem—is absurd for at least two reasons:… Continue reading

“California’s independent redistricting rules could offer some hope for Republicans”

March 10, 2019, 5:15 pmcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

John Myers for the LAT: California government auditors will begin accepting applications in June from citizens who would like to help redraw the state’s congressional and legislative maps, a task with enormous political consequences.The once-a-decade redistricting process will also offer… Continue reading

“House takes first step toward district boundaries drawn entirely by Republicans”

February 2, 2016, 9:19 amcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

The Arizona Capitol Times reports.

“Colorado redistricting reform effort splits Democrats”

December 22, 2015, 5:28 pmcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

Durango Herald: A proposed ballot question that would change congressional redistricting in Colorado is being rewritten to address concerns raised by black and Latino voters. The bipartisan proposal has caused a bit of a rift within the Colorado Democratic… Continue reading

“Lawmakers Ponder New Redistricting Methods”

November 8, 2015, 1:03 pmcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

CBS Miami: Oliva, who is set to take over as speaker of the House after the 2018 elections, said in the wake of the failed session that he was ready to consider an independent redistricting commission that would recommend… Continue reading

“Donna Edwards breaks with party over redistricting again”

August 7, 2015, 2:05 pmcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

WaPo: Rep. Donna Edwards (D-Md.) is breaking with other Democrats again over redistricting, saying she’s open to an independent commission proposed by Gov. Larry Hogan (R). “I have long supported redistricting reforms to end the damage partisan gerrymandering does… Continue reading

“Redistricting Reformers Are Having a Good Summer”

July 12, 2015, 9:40 amcitizen commissions, redistrictingRick Hasen

Reid Wilson at Morning Consult.

“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

“Independently Drawn Districts Have Proved to Be More Competitive”

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

NYT’s The UpShot.

Plutocrat Promises to Pressure CA Legislature if #SCOTUS Kills Independent Redistricting for Congress

June 14, 2015, 8:37 amcitizen commissions, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

Dan Morain reports. It would be nice if the question of independent redistricting were up to neither Charlie Munger nor the Supreme Court, but instead the people of the state of California.

Bipartisan Measure Proposed to Required Redistricting Commissions for Federal Redistricting

March 11, 2015, 9:08 pmcitizen commissions, Elections Clause, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

The Hill reports. Even if such a measure passed (not bloody likely), it could well be unconstitutional.

“Potential redistricting reset could tighten California Democrats’ grip”

March 8, 2015, 4:15 pmcitizen commissions, Elections Clause, redistricting, Supreme CourtRick Hasen

LA Times: A U..S. Supreme Court case that could force California to redraw its congressional districts has stirred up fears of a return to partisan gerrymandering, a divisive process that has been criticized for both cementing and crushing political… Continue reading