An incredible amount of redistricting activity occurred over the holidays in over 10 states. It’s safe to say you missed most of it. Here is your post-holiday update.
Map Adoptions
5 states adopted/enacted redistricting maps just before or after the Christmas holiday. This includes 3 independent citizens commissions, 1 state supreme court, and 1 enactment via a governor’s signature.
Arizona
The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission adopted final congressional and state legislative maps on Dec. 22. The 5 member body voted unanimously for the congressional district map and approved the state legislative map on a 3-2 vote. Click here for interactive maps and media coverage, and visit the Arizona page for more info.
California
The California Citizen’s Redistricting Commission adopted final congressional, state legislative and Board of Equalization districts on Dec. 27. The Commission drew 4 Board of Equalization districts, 52 Congressional districts, 40 Senatorial districts, and 80 Assembly districts. Read the commission’s press release. Watch the press conference . Visit the California page for more info.
Michigan
On Dec. 28th, the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission voted to finalize congressional and state legislative maps for the decade. The commission had some recent controversy regarding an Oct 27 closed meeting in which it discussed various legal issues. In particular, the commissioners received legal advice and analysis regarding its obligations under the Voting Rights Act and the extent to which racially polarized voting existed in the state. Various media and public interest groups had requested that the documents from the closed session be released and suggested that state transparency laws prohibited such a meeting. After the commission refused to comply, the body was sued in state court, and on Dec. 20th, the Michigan Supreme Court ordered the commission to release withheld memoranda and audio. To view the new redistricting maps, read the released documents from the closed meeting, as well as listen to the meeting audio, click here.
Georgia
On Thursday, Dec 30th, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed new congressional and state legislative maps into law. Three federal lawsuits were filed that same day. They involve Voting Rights Act and racial gerrymandering claims. Read the cases here: Pendergrass v. Raffensperger, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc v. Raffensperger, and GA NAACP v Kemp.
Virginia
The Virginia State Supreme Court approved new congressional and state legislative maps on Dec. 28 after accepting the special master’s report and maps. The court action was a result of the Virginia Redistricting Commission’s inability to agree on maps of any sort. You can read about that saga here and especially here. To read the decision, the special master’s report and view the maps, click here.
Litigation Activity
Ohio: The Ohio Supreme Court heard oral arguments on the GOP-drawn congressional redistricting map on Dec 28th.
South Carolina: On Dec 24th, new South Carolina House districts were challenged in U.S. District Court by the ACLU.
Georgia: On Thursday, Dec 30th, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp signed new congressional and state legislative maps into law. Three federal lawsuits were filed that same day. They involve Voting Rights Act and racial gerrymandering claims. Read the cases here: Pendergrass v. Raffensperger, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc v. Raffensperger, and GA NAACP v Kemp.
Arkansas: On Nov 29th, the Arkansas Board of Apportionment voted 3-0 in favor of new state legislative maps. On Dec. 29th, the Arkansas State Conference NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel filed a lawsuit against the newly enacted Arkansas State House district map. Read the press release. The suit alleges minority vote dilution in violation of the Voting Rights Act. The case is Arkansas State Conf. NAACP v. Arkansas Bd. of Apportionment. Read the Complaint.
