A recap of developments in redistricting for the last month.
If you weren’t paying attention, you likely missed a lot of activity in the redistricting realm this February. The biggest news is the first two redistricting lawsuits have been filed in courts even before any line-drawing has begun. Read on for this and other developments from the Census Bureau, California’s redistricting commission, and congress.
Litigation
States have made the preparations to begin the redistricting process but there is no census data available yet to start the task. At least two states are not taking this laying down and have filed suit in federal and state courts for resolution.
Ohio Fires First Salvo in Court Over Delayed Census Redistricting Data
Minnesota Lawsuit Asks Court to Get a Jump on State Redistricting
Census 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau finally set a firm target date for distribution of redistricting data to the states putting many states in a deadline crunch. The Bureau also officially canceled its efforts started in the previous administration to provide the DOJ with more detailed citizenship data used in Voting Rights Act enforcement activity.
The Census Bureau Sets a Target Date for Long-awaited Redistricting Data Delivery to the States
Special Citizens Voting-Age Population Tabulation Canceled by Census Bureau
An Unexpected Turn in California
The California Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission abruptly “parted ways” with its Executive Director in a closed meeting but there are hours of public meeting footage prior to his separation (watch in the article below) that may give clues to the decision. The director’s departure delayed the Commission’s further consideration of applications for its litigation team and voting rights cancel.
California Redistricting Commission Parts with Executive Director
CA Redistricting Commission Reviewing Applications for Litigation Team and Voting Rights Counsel
Other Developments
Congress’s H.R. 1 is another piece of transformative legislation that almost no one has really read, even though if passed, it will dramatically affect how redistricting is conducted in nearly every state. Read our summary of the redistricting reform measures in the bill. Also, Illinois joins the prison gerrymandering reform movement.
Is Major Redistricting Reform From Congress On the Way? A Look at H.R. 1
Illinois Becomes the 10th State to Count Prisoners at Home for Redistricting
Events
As the redistricting season develops, redistricting related events will increase. Don’t forget to check the RedistrictingOnline calendar. Make sure to your redistricting related event too. You can add events to the calendar here.
