Redistricting Headlines Nov. 16 2021: Alabama Maps get Two Legal Challenges. Ohio Republicans Unveil New Congressional Map.

By EditorNov 16, 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. Alabama: GROUPS LAUNCH LEGAL CHALLENGES OVER ALABAMA RACIAL GERRYMANDERING Colorado: Colorado legislative redistricting maps OK'd by state Supreme Court Massachusetts: Gov. Charlie Baker signs bills creating new districts for Massachusetts House, Senate Michigan: Lawmakers, news outlets blast ongoing secrecy of Michigan redistricting panel Ohio: Ohio Republicans unveil new congressional map. Oklahoma: Oklahoma Legislature convenes redistricting special session South Carolina: South Carolina House nears end of first phase of redistricting Virginia: Virginia Supreme Court grants extension to nominate new map drawers for redistricting For more news visit: Our News Page For state…

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Ohio Republicans Release Proposed Congressional Map 2 Weeks before Deadline

By EditorNov 16, 2021

Senate Republicans in Ohio have released a proposed congressional map that may be voted on this week. The deadline to adopt a map is Nov 30 and it is not entirely clear whether the map will receive the requisite amount of votes to ensure it lasts 10 years. According to Ohio law, at least 60% of lawmakers in each chamber and 33% of the minority party (Democrats), must vote to adopt the map. Without this supermajority, the map would only be in force for 4 years if it were to pass. View the map and media coverage below. Ohio Republicans…

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GROUPS LAUNCH LEGAL CHALLENGES OVER ALABAMA RACIAL GERRYMANDERING

By EditorNov 16, 2021

A group of voters backed by several civil rights organizations have filed a pair of lawsuits against Alabama's congressional and state legislative districts enacted just 12 days ago. The first lawsuit alleges the congressional map violates section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The second suit claims both the congressional and statehouse maps are racial gerrymanders. Read the complaints here: Milligan v. Merrill (congressional) and Thomas v. Merrill (congressional and state legislative). PRESS RELEASE (Nov. 15, 2021): BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Individual voters joined with civil rights and faith groups today to file a pair of lawsuits in federal court challenging…

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Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke Discusses New DOJ Voting Rights Act Guidance at NCSL Summit

By EditorNov 13, 2021

Last week, Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke spoke at NCSL’s Summit in Tampa regarding the Department of Justice’s guidance on how the Civil Rights Division is approaching Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act and their enforcement work this redistricting cycle. Section 2 prohibits discrimination in voting on the basis of race, color, or membership in a language minority group. The division looks at plans regardless of whether those plans were adopted by legislative bodies, redistricting commissions, state courts, or other governmental bodies. Watch below. https://www.facebook.com/NCSLorg/videos/1480510388995770/ Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke remarks at NCSL’s Legislative Summit. (Nov. 2021)

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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline

By EditorNov 11, 2021

Press Release, Wednesday, November 10, 2021 PRESS RELEASE 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionReleases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) released draft maps for the state’s Congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts ahead of the CA Supreme Court mandated November 15, 2021 deadline. “We are finally here. We proudly present these draft maps to the people of California as a starting point for public discussion. These are not intended to be final maps and we strongly encourage Californians to continue weighing in until we get it right,” stated Commission Chair Trena…

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Governor Accepts Legislative and Congressional Maps From Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission

By EditorNov 06, 2021

Press Release: November 5, 2021 ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today accepted the final certified legislative and congressional maps submitted by the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission and transmitted them to the Maryland General Assembly. The governor also signed a proclamation calling for a special session of the General Assembly beginning Monday, Dec. 6 for the purpose of acting on the commission’s maps. The new maps were formally presented to the governor by the commission’s three co-chairs, Judge Alexander Williams, Jr., Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, and Walter Olson. “This is a great day for the State of Maryland and for democracy,” said Governor Hogan. “On behalf of…

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New York Law School Launches Public Redistricting Mapping Project

By EditorOct 31, 2021

New York, NY (October 27, 2021) – New York Law School’s (NYLS) New York Census and Redistricting Institute has launched a statewide Public Mapping Redistricting Project to coincide with the 2021 state redistricting cycle. Student teams from New York’s higher education institutions have been invited to participate in drafting maps for New York’s congressional, state senate, and state assembly districts and submit them to the State. They will use free online software and data, along with specialized training, to draw model maps. The Project, developed by NYLS Adjunct Professor and Director of the Census and Redistricting Institute Jeffrey M. Wice, kicked shortly after the release of…

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Redistricting Headlines Oct 14 2021: WV House Approves map. CO Commission Approves House and Senate Maps while State Supreme Court Reviews Congressional Plan.

By EditorOct 14, 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. National: Gridlock and dysfunction — and a few tears — hit redistricting (politico.com) Colorado: Colorado independent redistricting committee approves House, Senate maps Colorado: Colorado Supreme Court hears oral arguments against new congressional redistricting map Florida: Legislators to limit public input before drawing new redistricting maps Michigan: See the 10 draft maps Michigan’s redistricting commission wants the public to consider Pennsylvania: Gov. Wolf’s Pennsylvania Redistricting Advisory Council Invites Public to Comment on Congressional Redistricting Texas: 50 years ago a battle over redistricting changed Texas (tpr.org) West Virginia: W.Va. House passes redistricting map…

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Redistricting Headlines Oct 12 2021: Virginia Commission Implodes, Misses Map Deadline. Oregon Republicans Sue. CO and MI Adopt Maps.

By EditorOct 12, 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. National Spotlight: Virginia Redistricting Commission Conflict Produced Tense Moments Last Friday. On Friday, citizen commissioner and co-chair Greta Harris walked out of Friday's meeting of the commission after a tense debate and disagreement over which state legislative maps to recommend to the legislature. This caused the deadlocked commission to miss its initial legal deadline for making its recommendation since several other commissioners walked out with the co-chair as well. Shortly after Harris's exit, she clarified that she had not resigned from the commission, but simply chose to walk out of the…

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VA Redistricting Commission Implodes as Three Commissioners Walk Out

By EditorOct 08, 2021

On Friday, the VA Redistricting Commission's Democratic co-chair Greta Harris, called it quits and walked out of the public meeting of the commission flanked by two more citizen commissioners. The remaining members and staff were left visibly stunned. Watch the video of Harris' resignation and the aftermath below. As of this writing, it is not clear if the Commission will have a quorum to meet on Saturday as scheduled since some members appeared to hold out hope that Harris and the others might return. In the event that they do not, the State Supreme Court would step in after a…

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