Nevada DMV Gets Failing Grade for Voter Registration

By EditorMar 29, 2016

Nevada - The DMV in Las Vegas is dropping the ball when it comes to complying with federal Motor Voter law, which requires states to offer voter registration applications at DMV offices. Several national civil rights groups have voiced their displeasure with Nevada's current practices when it comes to complying with this decades old law. Read the full story here.

UncategorizedMotor Votor, Nevada

Legislative Privilege Slows Down Virginia State Legislative Map Lawsuit

By EditorMar 28, 2016

Virginia - Reform organization OneVirginia2021 wants to get into State court and litigate what they say is a heavily gerrymandered State legislative district map. A bipartisan group of legislators wants to settle the issue of legislative privilege first. That is; whether they have to deliver to their litigation opponents, private communications between themselves and third-party consultants who advised them during the map-drawing process. A court must answer this question of whether the long recognized legislative privilege extends to dealings with parties outside of the legislature. According to the Daily Press, this group of intrepid lawmakers is ready to be held in…

Redistricting, Redistricting GerrymandersVirginia

An 8 Member Supreme Court Could Be a Boon to Minority Voting Rights

By EditorMar 24, 2016

The late Justice Scalia was "no friend" to voting rights, and his absence could mean the court deadlocks on upcoming decisions regarding redistricting, voter ID, one-man one vote, and more. This just isn't about cases either, the court takes various requests for interlocutory orders, which can have significant effects on an election. Josh Gerstein of Politico explains here.

Redistricting, Redistricting Litigationscalia, Supreme Court, washington dc

Common Cause Conference Gives Glimpse Into Post-Shelby Activity in the South

By EditorMar 23, 2016

Washington, DC - On March 8 - 9, Common Cause held its Blueprint for a Great Democracy convention. This session on Race, Redistricting, and Representation gives an extensive overview of redistricting / voting issues in the South and Southwest, especially since the Supreme Court's Shelby decision. Speakers include Allison Riggs, Senior Attorney, Southern Coalition for Social Justice; Ernest Herrera, Staff Attorney, MALDEF; Kathay Feng, Executive Director, California Common Cause & National Redistricting Director. Moderator - George Cheung Program Director, Joyce Foundation’s Democracy Program. https://youtu.be/Grr8MkBbTkM

Redistricting, Redistricting GerrymandersCommon Cause, conference, lawid, washington dc

Supreme Court: Incumbent Congressman Has a Right to His District?

By EditorMar 22, 2016

Washington, DC - This was congressman's Rep. Randy Forbes (R., Va.) argument Monday at the Supreme Court. In an attempt to overturn a federal court in Richmond's congressional map, congressman Forbes asserted his right as an incumbent not to have "his" district altered to his disadvantage; a novel legal argument to say the least. Read the Wall Street Journal Article here.

Redistricting, Redistricting LitigationVirginia, washington dc

Federal Panel Rejects Two North Carolina Congressional Districts

By EditorFeb 08, 2016

North Carolina - A federal court panel ruled late Friday that two of North Carolina’s 13 congressional districts were racially gerrymandered and must be redrawn within two weeks, sparking uncertainty about whether the March primary elections can proceed as planned. An order from a three-judge panel bars elections in North Carolina’s 1st and 12th congressional districts until new maps are approved. Read More.

Redistricting Gerrymanders, Redistricting Litigation, Redistricting Race RulesNorth Carolina

Evenwel May Just Be an Awful Can of Worms

By EditorJan 30, 2016

Victoria Bassetti, writing for Brennan Center in this article titled "Supreme Court Redistricting Case Is New Front in Voting Wars," speaks eloquently about the dangerous thinking behind the Evenwel case now before the U.S. Supreme Court. If the powers that be actually have a choice on what population base to use when redistricting, won't politics come in to play? Read the article here.

Redistricting, Redistricting LitigationEvenwel, one person one vote, Supreme Court

Augusta City Election Officials Perplexed at Running Elections Without DOJ Supervision

By EditorJan 28, 2016

In this local news story, election officials in Augusta City, GA remain befuddled about how to proceed with elections without having to report to the Justice Dept. on their every move. Apparently, the preclearance process has become such an institution in the city, official are at a loss on how to proceed. https://youtu.be/-LCuc1lRx8M

Local Redistricting, Redistricting, Redistricting Race Rulesaugusta city, Georgia, local

PODCAST: Georgetown Public Policy Review Talks Voting Rights in 2016

By EditorJan 27, 2016

From the Georgetown of Politics and Public Service, IPPS fellow Buffy Wicks, California Secretary of State Alex Padilla, and Ari Berman, reporter for The Nation join Georgetown Public Policy Review executive media editor Matt Emeterio to discuss the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act, recent changes restricting access to the ballot, and what will happen with voting rights in the 2016 election. Listen to the podcast below. https://soundcloud.com/gppolicyreview/episode-5-voting-rights

Redistricting, Redistricting Race Rules, REFORMGeorgetown Public Policy Review, lawid

Hearing Date Set On Alabama Voter ID Lawsuit

By EditorJan 26, 2016

Montgomery, Alabama - February 11th is the date a U.S. District judge has set for a hearing on whether to order a preliminary injunction requested by Greater Birmingham Ministries to suspend application of the state's voter identification law. Read more in the Montgomery Advertiser.

UncategorizedAlabama