North Carolina’s Redistricting Maps Upheld by State Trial Court

By EditorJan 12, 2022
On Wednesday, Jan. 11th a North Carolina state trial court upheld the congressional and state legislative maps drawn by the Republican-dominated legislature in Nov of 2021. Read the opinion and excerpts below. Here is a breakdown of the court's conclusions of law regarding each allegation: Partisan Gerrymandering in Violation of the NC Constitution's Free Elections Clause: "The Free Elections Clause does not operate as a restraint on the General Assembly’s ability to redistrict for partisan advantage." Equal Protection Clause of the NC Constitution: "The Court finds that the plans are amply supported by arational basis and thus do not violate…
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Redistricting Update: 7 States Poised to Pass Maps Soon

Redistricting Update: 7 States Poised to Pass Maps Soon

By EditorJan 11, 2022
It's the second week of the new year and 7 states are actively considering redistricting maps and poised to finalize a map or maps in the coming weeks. Here is a rundown. Kansas began its legislative session on the 10th and will take up congressional and state legislative redistricting, but likely at a much slower pace than most of the other states on this list. According to the Topeka-Capital Journal, "Kansas is one of only three states where no proposed maps have been publicly released . . . the equipment used for redistricting only arrived in the Statehouse in the…
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Watch: New York Redistricting Commission Deadlocks on Maps

Watch: New York Redistricting Commission Deadlocks on Maps

By EditorJan 04, 2022
The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission met on Monday, Jan 3, but could not come to a consensus on any redistricting map. The members split 5-5 on votes for congressional, state senate, and state house maps. Instead, the commission sent two versions of each to the state legislature for consideration. The meeting was contentious at times. Watch the meeting below. The legislature must adopt one of the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote, if they do not adopt a map the commission will get a second chance at recommending a set of maps by a Feb. 28, 2022 deadline.…
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A Flurry of Redistricting Activity Happened Over the Holidays. Here is a Recap

A Flurry of Redistricting Activity Happened Over the Holidays. Here is a Recap

By EditorJan 03, 2022
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,…
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Illinois Federal Court Rejects Voting Rights Act and Racial Gerrymandering Challenges to Legislature’s State Senate and House Maps

By EditorDec 31, 2021
On Thursday, the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois issued a per curiam opinion rejecting the claims of three groups of plaintiffs in the consolidated cases (McConchie, Contreras, and East St. Louis NAACP) against the state legislative district maps, which the legislature approved in September. The claims included allegations of racial gerrymandering and minority vote dilution in violation of Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. In regards to the votings rights claims, the court characterized the plaintiff's view of the maps as a failure to "maximize" minority electoral success, and warned that the Supreme Court has…
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Arkansas State House Map Gets Voting Rights Act Challenge in Federal Court

By EditorDec 31, 2021
On Wednesday, the Arkansas State Conference NAACP and the Arkansas Public Policy Panel filed a lawsuit against the newly enacted Arkansas State House district map. 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. PRESS RELEASE DECEMBER 29, 2021 LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — The American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Arkansas, Law Office of Bryan L. Sells LLC, and Dechert LLP filed a federal lawsuit today challenging a new redistricting plan for the Arkansas State House of Representatives that would undermine the voting strength of…
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Michigan Commission Finalizes Redistricting Maps After the Holiday Weekend

Michigan Commission Finalizes Redistricting Maps After the Holiday Weekend

By EditorDec 29, 2021
The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission approved congressional and state legislative maps on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The 13 member panel voted 8-5 for a congressional map, 9-4 for a senate map, and 11-2 for a house map. View the maps and media coverage below. The commission had endured some controversy over its decision to not release documents and audio from a closed meeting on Oct. 27 regarding minority voting issues. In the end, the state supreme court ordered their release. The maps have also received criticism from state civil rights authorities. 2021 Final Redistricting Maps (click to view interactive map)…
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VA State Supreme Court Approves New Congressional and State Legislative Maps after Commission Misses Deadline

VA State Supreme Court Approves New Congressional and State Legislative Maps after Commission Misses Deadline

By EditorDec 28, 2021
After the Virginia Redistricting Commission failed to submit a redistricting plan by the governing statutorydeadlines, the Supreme Court of Virginia assumed responsibility for the establishment of congressional and state legislative boundaries following the 2020 census. On Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, the court accepted the special masters' recommendation for maps and adopted final maps for the state. Read the court's final order below. Click on maps to go to interactive map viewer. Congressional Senate House
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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Delivers Maps to California Secretary of State

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Delivers Maps to California Secretary of State

By EditorDec 27, 2021
PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021 SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivered California’s Congressional, State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization maps to the California Secretary of State. The Commission drew 4 Board of Equalization districts, 52 Congressional districts, 40 Senatorial districts, and 80 Assembly districts. The Commission concluded its work with a press conference to provide final remarks.  Facebook Live Video: https://www.facebook.com/WeDrawtheLinesCA/videos/1025976441284444 Pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16dA9XYJs-GQri8TZJHabA23DPk6FcFiD?usp=sharing In Response members of the Commission and Secretary of State Issued the following Statements: "I want to thank the Redistricting Commissioners…
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New South Carolina House Districts Challenged in U.S. District Court

By EditorDec 26, 2021
The ACLU of South Carolina issued this press release (below) on Dec. 24, after filing an amended complaint with the U.S. District Court in Columbia, S.C. the day before. The case is NAACP v. McMaster. The original complaint asked the court to take jurisdiction over redistricting maps in SC in anticipation that the legislature would not complete maps in time for upcoming elections. However, the legislature passed, and the governor enacted a new state legislative district map on Dec 10. The amended complaint addresses the house district map specifically and reserves the right to challenge the senate map in the…
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