Parties Debate Timeliness of Lawsuit in PA Congressional Map Challenge

A group of voters in Pennsylvania started the 2020 litigation cycle early by suing in Pennsylvania state court over the state's congressional map. The lawsuit presumes that the state legislature will not have enough time to enact a congressional map given its history of gridlock and a severely shortened mapmaking schedule due to late census redistricting data. It is asking the court to take jurisdiction now to avoid delays in redrawing congressional districts. The case is Carter v. Degraffenreid. Read the complaint here. The lawsuit was filed in April of 2021. This is an update on the status of the…
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Citizen Redistricting Committee Launches Website and Public Map-Making Portal

Citizen Redistricting Committee Launches Website and Public Map-Making Portal

PRESS RELEASE: Albuquerque, NM, July 15, 2021 – Today, the New Mexico Citizen Redistricting Committee (CRC) launches its official website at www.nmredistricting.org which includes a Public Redistricting Portal to engage and include everyday New Mexicans in the redistricting process.  In addition to www.nmredistricting.org providing information about the CRC, the redistricting process, and the CRC’s upcoming meetings across the state, its Public Redistricting Portal also provides access to a public map-making and testimony submission tool available at: https://portal.newmexico-mapping.org.  Members of the public can use the Portal to draw and submit community-of-interest maps and district plans for each of the offices being redistricting (New Mexico’s congressional delegation, the State House, the State Senate, and the Public Education Commission).  All submissions of maps and comments through the Portal are public, have their own…
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VA State Redistricting Commission Divided on Map Drawing Approach

VA State Redistricting Commission Divided on Map Drawing Approach

The Virginia Redistricting Commission was advised its lawyers to revise existing maps rather than start from scratch, due to time and resources constraints. Read the full wvtf.org story. Listen to audio excerpts from the commission meeting below. Full commission meeting video is available on the Virginia state almanac page. Virginia Public Radio : WVTF (Aug 4, 2021)  
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Redistricting Headlines – August 6 2021

Redistricting Headlines – August 6 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. National Census Bureau to Release Redistricting Data on Aug. 12. Four Days Early. 2020 Census Redistricting Files Press Kit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0MhAue2Tuk&list=PLewV-zKXDZkheQnpGbfmu-3lqYQileGw- --------------------------------------------- In the States Colorado: Revised schedule for Redistricting (Independent Congressional) Commission New Jersey: With Five Days Left To Pick Congressional Redistricting Tiebreaker, Just Three Options Remain Ohio: Ohio Lawmakers Convene Redistricting Panel Charged With Drawing State Legislative Maps Oregon: Oregon secretary of state unveils plan for ‘people’s’ redistricting commission     For more news visit: Our News Page For state redistricting information, news, video and meetings visit: The State Almanac
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Census Bureau to Release Redistricting Data on Aug. 12. Four Days Early.

Census Bureau to Release Redistricting Data on Aug. 12. Four Days Early.

U.S. Census Bureau Press Release: August 5, 2021. The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a news conference to discuss the release of the first local level results from the 2020 Census. States use these data on race, Hispanic origin, and the voting-age population to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts. The news conference will provide initial analysis of the first local level results from the 2020 Census on population change, race, ethnicity, the age 18 and over population, and housing occupancy status. A live Q&A session with Census Bureau subject-matter experts will immediately follow the briefing…
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Redistricting Headlines – August 2 2021

Redistricting Headlines – August 2 2021

A quick look at redistricting related news across the USA. Recent Census Data Developments Call into Question its Suitability for Redistricting Census Bureau to Host Informational Webinar in Advance of 2020 Census Redistricting Data Release Ohio: Gov. Mike DeWine calls first meeting of Ohio redistricting panel     For more news visit: Our News Page For state redistricting information, news, video and meetings visit: The State Almanac
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Recent Census Data Developments Call into Question its Suitability for Redistricting

Recent Census Data Developments Call into Question its Suitability for Redistricting

In the span of just a few days and just weeks before official census redistricting data is scheduled to be released, the Census Bureau reveals two rather startling revelations about the data. "Fuzzy Blocks" First, the Acting Census Director Ron Jarmin warned in the Director's Blog that the information in individual census blocks - the smallest and most detailed unit of data - will appear "fuzzy" and at times nonsensical due to the Bureau's application of privacy measures, and thus should not be used for building redistricting maps. Blocks are often used as the basic building blocks of redistricting maps…
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Redistricting Headlines July 30 2021

Redistricting Headlines July 30 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. National: Union of Concerned Scientists Release Report on 2020 Census Data Accuracy New Jersey: Democrats, Republicans don’t agree on redistricting procedure, let alone tiebreaker Ohio: CAIR-Ohio Testifies Before Ohio Citizens’ Redistricting Commission West Virginia Redistricting Committee encouraging participation in meetings     For more news visit: Our News Page For state redistricting information, news, video and meetings visit: The State Almanac
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Union of Concerned Scientists Release Report on 2020 Census Data Accuracy

Union of Concerned Scientists Release Report on 2020 Census Data Accuracy

Concerns about census data accuracy have lead experts to worry about "the potential undercounting of variousgroups in the country and how undercounts might affect federal funding allocation, redistricting efforts, and representation. The Union of Concerned Scientists released this report in July describing the possible effects that undercounting may have on specific populations. From the Report: ". . . worries include potential undercounting of Hispanic populations in many communities and of young children, as well as underestimates of population at the state level (Epstein and Medina 2021; O’Hare et al. 2020; Bahrampour,Rabinowitz, and Mellnik 2021). In this report, we seek to…
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Redistricting Headlines July 29 2021

Redistricting Headlines July 29 2021

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. Census Director's Blog: Redistricting Data: What to Expect and When Census: NCSL’s Underhill Takes Deep Dive Into the Census   Colorado: Map deadline in high court's redistricting order still TBD, vexing commissions   Idaho: Idaho Redistricting Commission Has 5 of 6 Members   New York: Government Law Center Releases New Explainer on NY Redistricting   Pennsylvania: Will this round of Pa. redistricting be another all-out war? It’s all in the details   South Dakota: Chair Expects Legislative Redistricting To Start Next Month   For more news visit: Our News Page For…
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