Supreme Ct Preview: Persily Amicus Brief on the One Person One Vote Requirement

Supreme Ct Preview: Persily Amicus Brief on the One Person One Vote Requirement

By EditorNov 13, 2015
In this latest Supreme Court case Evenwel v. Abbott, exploring the claim that political redistricting should focus on balancing the number of eligible voters in the population across districts as opposed to total population, several amicus briefs have been submitted by interested parties. None other than Nathaniel Persily; Stanford Law professor and a sought after expert on redistricting has submitted this brief along with several other equally accomplished colleagues in the  voting/redistricting field: Bernard Grofman, Stephen Ansolabehere, Charles Stewart III, and Bruce Cain. Oral argument is scheduled for December 8th. (more…)
Casedocs, Redistricting, Redistricting Litigation, , , , , , ,
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A Fight Over Transparency in the Virginia Congressional District Court Case

A Fight Over Transparency in the Virginia Congressional District Court Case

By EditorSep 22, 2015
Richmond Va: The fight over Virginia's 3rd congressional district continues as the various defendants in the case petitioned the District Court to allow the various maps proposed to the court be posted online. The court has already determined that the 3rd district enacted by the Richmond legislature and governor in 2012 improperly diluted minority voter influence in the surrounding districts by concentrating into the 3rd district. The three-judge panel has given parties to the case until October 2 to submit briefs commenting on the 8 proposed maps submitted by various parties to the litigation and other interested members of the…
Redistricting Litigation,
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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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Print News Coverage of the Supreme Court’s Arizona Redistricting Commission Decision Monday

Print News Coverage of the Supreme Court’s Arizona Redistricting Commission Decision Monday

By EditorJun 30, 2015
 Print News Coverage of the Supreme Court's Arizona Redistricting Commission Decision Monday SCOTUSBLOG: Chief Justices' Robert's broad stance on the meaning of "Legislature" in the Arizona Redistricting case versus a narrow reading of "Legislature" in his Affordable Care Act case dissent. NPR: Law Prof. Rick Hasen speaks to NPR about Chief Justice Robert's dissent and his doubts about whether nonpartisan commissions could ever be nonpartisan. NYT: On why independent redistricting commissions don't necessarily favor liberals. Slate: Rick Hasen on "Mindless literalist interpretations in the service of conservative causes," and how the Arizona decision undermines Bush v. Gore.
Redistricting Commissions,
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