How Democrats Fooled California’s Redistricting Commission

To get the districts they wanted, Democrats organized groups that said they represented communities, but really represented the party. This spring, a group of California Democrats gathered at a modern, airy office building just a few blocks from the U.S. Capitol.

Source: How Democrats Fooled California’s Redistricting Commission

Democrats smell a rout — and the chance to control redistricting in 2021

The party is starting to think bigger than just beating Trump. Donald Trump’s collapsing poll numbers have Democrats thinking bigger than just winning the White House and seizing the Senate — they’re imagining a rout that extends all the way down the ballot.

Source: Democrats smell a rout — and the chance to control redistricting in 2021

Supreme Court appears ready to quickly order redistricting delay

Early this month, the Legislature filed a writ petition — Legislature of the State of California v.

Source: Supreme Court appears ready to quickly order redistricting delay

Legislature asks Supreme Court to delay redistricting

In yet another case on the Supreme Court’s pandemic docket, California’s Legislature wants the court to order a four-month delay of the deadline for the state Redistricting Commission to submit Congressional, state legislative, and Board of Equalization district maps for the 2022 election.

Source: Legislature asks Supreme Court to delay redistricting

As COVID-19 Delays Census, Fmr Gov Schwarzenegger, Common Cause and League of Women Voters CA Urge Extending Redistricting Deadlines

LOS ANGELES – June 15, 2020. Redistricting advocates urged the California Supreme Court to step in and preserve the state’s independent redistricting process which creates new voting districts for the next decade.

Source: As COVID-19 Delays Census, Fmr Gov Schwarzenegger, Common Cause and League of Women Voters CA Urge Extending Redistricting Deadlines

Shift to digital census raises fear of Iowa-like breakdown

ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — The stakes are high when a major civic exercise involves a large population, new technology that has not been thoroughly tested and an entire country waiting on the results.

Source: Shift to digital census raises fear of Iowa-like breakdown

Redistricting activists brace for wall of inaction as battle moves to states

In North Carolina, lawmakers have been forced back to the drawing board yet again after a state court ruled last month that the current congressional map was drawn illegally along partisan lines.

Source: Redistricting activists brace for wall of inaction as battle moves to states

New Report Highlights Arizona as a Model for Redistricting Reform Nationwide

Cambridge, MA — The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission: One State’s Model for Gerrymandering Reform,” a new report detailing the lessons learned from Arizona’s innovative approach to legislative redistricting. "Arizona is a pioneer when it comes to independent redistricting.

Source: New Report Highlights Arizona as a Model for Redistricting Reform Nationwide

NC Senate passes new political maps. Democrats are divided in their support.

North Carolina’s new political maps took a key step forward Monday night when the Senate approved its maps, following the House vote Friday. A panel of judges ruled this month that many of the districts used to elect members of the N.C.

Source: NC Senate passes new political maps. Democrats are divided in their support.

Obama introduces new initiative in fight against gerrymandering

"Training is at the heart of organizing. It’s why I’ve always made it a priority – from my 2008 campaign until now," Obama said in a tweet announcing Redistricting U, part of the All on the Line campaign.

Source: Obama introduces new initiative in fight against gerrymandering

Michigan Republican Party Files Lawsuit Against New Independent Redistricting Commission

On August 22, the Michigan Republican Party filed a federal lawsuit against the new Michigan redistricting commission. Michigan Republican Party v Benson, w.d., 1:19cv-669. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Janet T. Neff, a Bush Jr. appointee.

Source: Michigan Republican Party Files Lawsuit Against New Independent Redistricting Commission

Michael Morley: Rucho, Legal Fictions, and the Judicial Models of Voters

The Supreme Court’s recent ruling in Rucho v. Common Causepresents competing judicial conceptions of American voters. Justice Kagan’s dissent encourages courts to employ an “evidence-based, data-based, statistics-based” approach when considering political gerrymandering claims.

Source: Michael Morley: Rucho, Legal Fictions, and the Judicial Models of Voters

Gerrymandering symposium: Finally finality from the Supreme Court on partisan gerrymandering

Justin Riemer is Chief Counsel of the Republican National Committee, which filed an amicus brief in support of the state in Rucho v. Common Cause. The Supreme Court’s decision in Rucho v. Common Cause is a triumph of judicial prudence.

Source: Gerrymandering symposium: Finally finality from the Supreme Court on partisan gerrymandering

Gerrymandering symposium: Janus-like judicial restraint in political gerrymanders and the census

Ken Klukowski is Of Counsel at First Liberty Institute, Senior Legal Analyst for Breitbart News and Senior Fellow at the American Civil Rights Union.

Source: Gerrymandering symposium: Janus-like judicial restraint in political gerrymanders and the census

TheRepLawyer Blog

The Supreme Court issued two opinions with direct implications for redistricting this morning, on the last day of the October 2018 Term.  In a consolidated opinion for Rucho v. Common Cause and Lamone v.

Source: TheRepLawyer Blog

Partisan gerrymandering is upheld by Supreme Court

The Supreme Court Thursday upheld the partisan gerrymandering that has allowed Republicans to control power in several closely divided states. A majority ruled that elected lawmakers, not judges, have right to draw the election maps for their states.

Source: Partisan gerrymandering is upheld by Supreme Court

U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments in appeal of Virginia racial gerrymandering case

The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments Monday in a redistricting case that could help determine the balance of power in Virginia’s legislature for years to come.

Source: U.S. Supreme Court to hear arguments in appeal of Virginia racial gerrymandering case

Supreme Court expands scope of census citizenship question case

The move comes after a federal judge in California ruled that Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross, whose agency oversees the census, violated the Constitution's Enumeration Clause. The U.S.

Source: Supreme Court expands scope of census citizenship question case

The Democrats' Voting Rights Bill Could End Partisan Gerrymandering. Republicans Won't Let That Happen.

On Friday, the House passed a voting rights bill aimed at ending corruption in politics. H.R.

Source: The Democrats' Voting Rights Bill Could End Partisan Gerrymandering. Republicans Won't Let That Happen.

California's independent redistricting rules could offer some hope for Republicans

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.

Source: California's independent redistricting rules could offer some hope for Republicans