Trial Begins On North Carolina State Legislative Districts

By EditorApr 14, 2016

North Carolina - The state's congressional map has already been partially invalidated by a court on grounds that it is an unconstitutional gerrymander. Next up; several state house districts. A three-judge in Greensboro, NC is hearing the case this week in a lawsuit filed by 27 voters. Read more.

Redistricting LitigationNorth Carolina

Senators cited for contempt in redistricting case

By EditorApr 13, 2016

Lawmakers are challenging a judge's order to turn over documents, claiming legislative privilege. Source: Senators cited for contempt in redistricting case

Redistricting, Redistricting Gerrymanders, Redistricting Litigationcontempt, legislative privelege, Virginia

Evenwel SCOTUS Decision News and Analysis Round Up

By EditorApr 05, 2016

The first round of media, academia and policy wonks have weighed in on the somewhat surprising unanimous decision by the Supreme Court this week in the much anticipated equal population case Evenwel v. Abbott. Here is the News Analysis Round-up: How A Challenge to Legislative Redistricting Backfired. The Atlantic CVAP (Citizens of Voting Age Population) Lives to Fight Another Day. Forbes The Supreme Court upheld ‘one person, one vote.’ But don’t expect the battle over counting Americans to end. Wash. Post Analysis: In Texas Case, Supreme Court Rules Nonvoters are People, Too. Texas Tribune District Fight May…

RedistrictingEvenwel, Supreme Court, Texas, washington dc

Supreme Court Decides “Evenwel” Equal Population Case: Read the Opinion

By EditorApr 04, 2016

Wash. DC - The Supreme Court just released its opinion in Evenwel v. Abott, a challenge to redistricting based on "total population" versus eligible or registered voters. Read the pre-decision discussion here. Redistricting expert Nathaniel Persily's brief is here. Listen to the Supreme Court oral argument here. The court flatly ruled against requiring redrawn districts to equalize voting eligible populations and noted the founding fathers acceptance of "total population" as an appropriate denominator. In the words of the Court: "Settled practice confirms what constitutional history and prior decisions strongly suggest. Adopting voter-eligible apportionment asconstitutional command would upset a well-functioning approach todistricting…

Casedocs, Redistricting, Redistricting LitigationEvenwel, Supreme Court

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