Pennsylvania: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Individuals’ Right to Sue Under Voting Rights Act of 1965

Pennsylvania: Justice Department Files Statement of Interest Supporting Individuals’ Right to Sue Under Voting Rights Act of 1965

By EditorMay 03, 2024
Press Release: May 2, 2024 SCRANTON – The Justice Department announced that it has filed a statement of interest in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Pennsylvania supporting the right of private plaintiffs to bring a lawsuit to enforce Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. This filing is one of many recent briefs by the Justice Department supporting the longstanding principle that private plaintiffs are authorized to bring lawsuits to vindicate important rights protected by the Voting Rights Act. “The right to vote is the foundation of our democracy, and it is the right on which…
Pennsylvania, Voting Rights Act, , , , , , , , , , ,
Read More
Justice Department Launches Updated Voting Rights and Elections Website

Justice Department Launches Updated Voting Rights and Elections Website

By EditorApr 22, 2024
Press Release: April 18, 2024 New and Updated Voting Rights Resources for Voters and Election Officials Released The Justice Department announced today that it has updated www.justice.gov/voting, a one-stop resource providing voting and elections information for voters as well as state and local elections officials. As part of the update, the Civil Rights Division published two new informational guides on voting rights and updated five other guides. The Department’s longstanding practice is to update resources and provide information in election years on the efforts of the Civil Rights Division, Criminal Division, National Security Division, and U.S. Attorneys’ Offices throughout the country,…
Voting Rights Act, , , , ,
Read More
Redistricting Update. Week of January 28, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, MO, NC, and WI.

Redistricting Update. Week of January 28, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, MO, NC, and WI.

By EditorFeb 01, 2024
Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 28, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalRedistricting fights in these states could determine which party controls the US House (CNN) Florida Florida Supreme Court will consider challenge to DeSantis’ redistricting map Louisiana After a court fight, Louisiana's new congressional map boosts Black political power Louisiana lawmakers approve a new congressional map with a second majority-Black district Michigan Justices decline to intervene in Michigan redistricting dispute (scotusblog) Montana Montana officials discuss map redistricting North Carolina Judge denies injunction request in state Senate redistricting lawsuit Wisconsin…
NEWS, Redistricting, , , , , , ,
Read More
Redistricting Update. Week of January 21, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, WA, and WI.

Redistricting Update. Week of January 21, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, WA, and WI.

By EditorJan 22, 2024
Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 21, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalWhich states could get new congressional maps in 2024? (abcnews) The Failed Promise of Independent Election Mapmaking (ProPublica) Florida ACLU sues Daytona Beach, saying redistricting was driven by protecting incumbents Louisiana Louisiana lawmakers approve a new congressional map with a second majority-Black district Louisiana Legislature Passes Congressional Map With Two Majority-Black Districts Michigan Michigan’s Secretary of State asks Supreme Court to pause redistricting for 2024 Redistricting commission begins redrawing Detroit-area state House maps Washington Five new maps proposed…
NEWS, Redistricting, , , , , ,
Read More
CA League of Women Voters and Common Cause Release Report & Recommendations for 2030 Redistricting Commission

CA League of Women Voters and Common Cause Release Report & Recommendations for 2030 Redistricting Commission

By EditorJan 17, 2024
The California League of Women Voters and Common Cause CA released a report recently summarizing the 2020 redistricting process with reform recommendations for the 2030 commission. Key recommendations include: Redistricting bodies should continue to use live line-drawing, stream public meetings, and facilitate remote participation when feasible to enhance transparency During the line-drawing process, prioritizing those areas of the state that involve complex Voting Rights Act analysis and compliance with communities of interest requirements. Codifying protections against minority vote dilution into state law to protect the rights of voters of color. The law should take into consideration the state’s multi-ethnic and…
REFORM, , , , , , ,
Read More
Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

By EditorJan 15, 2024
Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 14, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalBrennan Center analysis suggests 2030 redistricting could bring big increases for the South (Ohio Capital Journal) Michigan Michigan redistricting panel asks court for permission to use unconstitutional maps Michigan redistricting commission holds special meeting, decides against raising its salaries Special masters appointed to help redraw Detroit-area districts; these are the important dates Court lays out redistricting timeline for maps ruled unconstitutional New York New York Hispanic Voters File First Lawsuit Under State Voting Rights Act North Dakota Judge…
HOME, LATEST, NEWS, Redistricting, , , ,
Read More
Georgia Redistricting Update (Jan. 10, 2024)

Georgia Redistricting Update (Jan. 10, 2024)

By EditorJan 10, 2024
On October 26, 2023, a U.S. District Court ordered Georgia's legislative and congressional districts to be redrawn before the 2024 election. The legislature had passed those maps in 2021 following the 2020 census. The litigation includes three sets of plaintiffs and the court ultimately found that the legislature's maps violated Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. Among other findings, the court noted convincing evidence that the political process in Georgia was not equally accessible to Black voters when compared to their White counterparts. This being the case, the prophylactic measures prescribed in Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act were necessary…
Case Updates, HOME, LATEST, LAW, Race in Redistricting, Redistricting, Redistricting Litigation, Redistricting Race Rules, Voting Rights Act,
Read More
Redistricting Update: Week of January 7, 2024. News from GA, KY, MI, NY, NC, and WI.

Redistricting Update: Week of January 7, 2024. News from GA, KY, MI, NY, NC, and WI.

By EditorJan 08, 2024
Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 7, 2024 . Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalRedistricting Decisions Will Reshape Legislative Maps in Wisconsin and Michigan (Democracy Docket) Georgia Georgia lawmakers send redrawn congressional map keeping 9-5 Republican edge to judge for approval Judge rules against civil rights groups in Georgia redistricting appeal Kentucky Kentucky redistricting is upheld Michigan Michigan Political Map Axed in ‘Seismic’ Blow to Commissions 3 Michigan redistricting commissioners resign, random selection to bean held in January Three new members selected for Michigan redistricting commission Michigan redistricting commission votes to…
HOME, LATEST, NEWS, Redistricting, , , , , ,
Read More
Watch: George Wash. University’s Peyton McCrary Discusses Voting Rights, Alabama, and SCOTUS on C-SPAN

Watch: George Wash. University’s Peyton McCrary Discusses Voting Rights, Alabama, and SCOTUS on C-SPAN

By EditorAug 22, 2023
From CSPAN.org's Washington Journal: Peyton McCrary on the Supreme Court and Voting RightsOn Monday, Peyton McCrary discussed the impact of the Supreme Court’s 5-4 decision on Allen v. Milligan, which upheld Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act. The challenge was brought by minority voters in Alabama following the redrawing of the state's congressional districts after the 2020 census. McCrary, now a professorial lecturer at George Washington University Law School, retired as a historian in the Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice in 2016. Since leaving government service, he has testified as an expert witness in…
Redistricting Litigation, Voting Rights Act, , , , , , , , ,
Read More
Update: Status of New Hampshire Redistricting Litigation(July 2023)

Update: Status of New Hampshire Redistricting Litigation(July 2023)

By EditorJul 21, 2023
New Hampshire reportedly was the last state to complete redistricting for the 2020 cycle after the legislature and governor failed to agree on a map. The political struggles surrounding the enactment of a congressional map have given way to legal challenges against the state senate and house maps. Details below. Congressional Map The New Hampshire State Supreme Court took jurisdiction in case of an impasse over the congressional map in April of 2022. (Norelli v. Scanlan) The legislature presented two maps to the governor - one in March and another in May - both of which the governor announced his…
Case Updates, LAW, NEWS, Partisan Gerrymandering, Redistricting, Redistricting Gerrymanders, Redistricting Litigation, State Laws, , ,
Read More