Weekly Update

Weekly Update

By EditorOct 19, 2015
Florida: Special Session for Redistricting Begins With its congressional map tied up in the courts, legislators in Florida have convened a another special session to redraw state senate lines in an effort to head off court invalidation. It is scheduled to last three weeks and state news organizations report it is likely to be a contentious one. You can view the current districts and 6 proposed map that have been unveiled so far.   Ohio: Redistricting Ballot Measure Not as Sexy as Other Issues Good government groups backing Ohio Ballot Issue 1 are up against widespread ignorance about the proposal.…
Redistricting, REFORM, , ,
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Census Bureau to Release 2020 Census Operational Plan

Census Bureau to Release 2020 Census Operational Plan

By EditorOct 05, 2015
MEDIA ADVISORY: CB15-168 Census Bureau to Release 2020 Census Operational Plan What: U.S. Census Bureau officials will release and discuss the operational plan for conducting the2020 Census during a live stream of the fall quarterly program management review for the public, key stakeholders and oversight bodies. Additionally, the Census Bureau will provide updates on other census topics, including 2015 National Content Test and 2016 Census Test activities. The 2020 Census operational plan outlines key operations, the decisions made based on research and testing to date and a timeline for remaining decisions. The innovations planned for the 2020 Census will make it easier for people to respond and…
Redistricting, , , , ,
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Will the Court’s Arizona Decision Spawn More Independent Commissions?

Will the Court’s Arizona Decision Spawn More Independent Commissions?

By EditorSep 22, 2015
Now that the Supreme Court has sanctioned Independent Redistricting Commissions brought about by voter ballot intiatives, will more states follow? Is this an effective way to thwart Republican gerrymanders? Michael Sargeant and Mark Schauer ponder these questions in this article in The Hill Blog. They point out that ballot initiatives are not widely available among the states although many could benefit from voter initiatives that take the partisanship out of the redistricting equation. The best strategy according to Sargeant and Schauer is to ensure Democratic majorities in these key states. Read more.
Elections Clause, Redistricting Commissions, REFORM, ,
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Supreme Court Looks Past Weak Pleadings to Find Potential Racial Gerrymander in Alabama Map

Supreme Court Looks Past Weak Pleadings to Find Potential Racial Gerrymander in Alabama Map

By EditorApr 14, 2015
The Supreme Court’s recent opinion remanding a challenge by Black state officials to the 2012 Alabama Legislative district map back to a federal district court is relatively short for a majority opinion but chock full of legal nuggets as the justices’ focused on several bases for returning this case back to a lower court to reconsider its ruling against the plaintiffs. In all, the decision discussed four distinct issues; two procedural and two substantive – it felt the lower court bungled. If we had to explain the four corners of the Alabama opinion in one sentence it would be; The…
NEWS, Racial Gerrymandering, Redistricting, Redistricting Gerrymanders, Redistricting Litigation, Redistricting Race Rules, ,
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