Amendments to H.R. 1 Take Congressional Map-Drawing Out of the Hands of State Legislatures in 2021

By EditorMar 03, 2021

In mid-February, we reported about potential sweeping reforms of the congressional redistricting process in the states proposed by Congress. The bill (H.R. 1) would have been effective in 2030 but newly added amendments on Monday, make it a requirement for states this year. Yes. This year. The amended H.R.1 requires states to either create an agency to establish a commission or designate an existing one to carry out a detailed commissioner selection process. The procedural requirements are substantial and maps created by the commission must meet various rigorous statistical measures to avoid partisan gerrymandering. A vote is scheduled on the…

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California Redistricting Commission Launches Communities of Interest Tool

By EditorMar 03, 2021

PRESS RELEASE 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionLaunches Communities of Interest Tool SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) and the California Statewide Database announced the launch of the Communities of Interest (COI) input tool, designed to make it easier for Californians to participate in the redistricting process. Every 10 years, after the federal government publishes updated census information, California must redraw the boundaries of its Congressional, State Senate, State Assembly, and State Board of Equalization districts so that the state’s population is evenly allocated among the new districts. When the Commission creates new districts, it must follow certain…

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California Redistricting Commission Parts with Executive Director

By EditorFeb 23, 2021

In a Feb. 18 press release, the Commission advised that it had accepted Executive Director Daniel Claypool's, resignation after a closed meeting on the 16th. No further details were given on the reason for Claypool's departure, but the portion of the meeting on the 16th that was publicly aired included a rather lengthy and robust discussion about the commission's outreach budget. You can view the meeting below. The discussion begins at 3:42. https://youtu.be/4qAAb9NW6sk Here is the relevant text of the press release: 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionAccepts Resignation of Executive Director SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission)…

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Redistricting Commissions are Now in a Majority of States

By EditorFeb 22, 2021

In case you missed it, as of this January when Maryland’s Governor announced the creation of an advisory redistricting commission, 26 states now have some form of a redistricting commission. Other recent additions include Ohio and Virginia. Commissions with Power to Enact a Map These commissions have the initial (and sometimes ultimate authority) to enact a redistricting map for a state. This includes “citizen” or “independent” commissions, in addition to appointed or hybrid commissions. AlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoHawaiiIdahoMichiganMissouriMontanaNew JerseyOhioPennsylvaniaWashingtonSome but not all of these commissions listed have authority over “both” congressional and legislative maps. Advisory or Backup Commissions Advisory commissions go through the…

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CA Redistricting Commission Reviewing Applications for Litigation Team and Voting Rights Counsel

By Michelle DavisFeb 17, 2021

The voting rights act counsel would provide legal support to the Commission, staff and consultants regarding the redistricting process, including the review of proposed district maps; development, use and analysis of Racially Polarized Voting (“RPV”) data, preparation of legal memoranda and general legal advice to the Commission. The commission is also seeking a litigation team in the event that any or all of its redistricting maps (Congressional, and State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization) are challenged in state or federal court. To that end, the commission is seeking is seeking “statements of qualifications” (SOQ) from attorneys, including law firms…

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Is Major Redistricting Reform From Congress On the Way? A Look at H.R. 1

By Michelle DavisFeb 17, 2021

Congress has made redistricting reform in 2021 a top priority. To that end H.R.1 (S.1) was introduced in the current congress and is poised to establish major election reforms should it pass. Nested within H.R. 1 is “subtitle E”, or the “Redistricting Reform Act of 2021.” The Brennan Center for Justice explains that the purpose of the Act is to combat racial injustice and partisan influence in the redrawing of congressional districts. Regardless of one’s policy position on the Act, all can agree that the legislation is a dramatic change from the redistricting status quo. Despite this fact, not many…

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Maryland Governor Creates Citizens Redistricting Commission

By EditorJan 31, 2021

Gov. Larry Hogan announced that he would establish The Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission to redraw the state's congressional and state legislative boundaries. The application period for members of the public to apply to be on the commission is now open. The commission will consist of 3 members appointed by the governor and 6 members of the public who are selected by the initial three after applying through the application process. The governor's appointees are Judge Alexander Williams (democrat), Walter Olsen (Republican), and Dr. Kathleen Hetherington (Independent). Williams is a retired Judge of the United States District Court for the District…

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Watch: The New Virginia Redistricting Commission Conducts its First Full Meeting

By EditorJan 31, 2021

The brand new 2021 Virginia Redistricting Commission is up and running. This is new for the state, so all eyes will be on the 16-member commission as redistricting looms. You can watch the meetings here on RedistrictingOnline. Watch commission meetings via Redistrictingonline's Youtube playlist or the Virginia state info page to keep up to date on the commission and redistricting in Virginia in general. The commission is made up of eight citizen members and eight members of the state General Assembly. The commission held its first meeting as a full commission on January 21. There will lots for the commissioners…

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Commission Meeting Video: CA Citizens Independent Redistricting Commission

By EditorOct 31, 2020

The 14-member California Citizens Redistricting Commission was established in 2008 by a citizen's initiative. It is responsible for redrawing the state's congressional, legislative, and Board of Equalization districts (BOE). Watch commission meetings here. Commission Selection Process: The commission includes 5 Democrats, 5 Republicans, and 4 members who are unaffiliated with any party. The selection process is coordinated by the State Auditors Office and involves, background screening and an applicant review panel, which selects the most qualified applicants. The legislative leaders may reduce the Auditor's pool of qualified applicants before the State Auditor randomly selects 8 candidates from the remaining pool.…

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Commission Meeting Video: Santa Barbara County Citizens Independent Redistricting Comm.

By EditorOct 31, 2020

The County's Independent Redistricting Commission consists of 11 county residents who are not elected officials, city staff, lobbyists, candidates, campaign donors, or their close family members. Consideration is also given to the goal of having a commission that reflects the diversity of Santa Barbara County. The commission must provide an open and transparent process that enables full public consideration and comment on the drawing of district lines. View the commission meetings here. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cu3FTBN0w-M&list=PL8SyQGix1i-UwlM5AyuSBomdr6e1B9nVT Resources Commission website California Redistricting Info California Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Meeting Video California Local Redistricting News

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