Navajo Lawsuit Against Off-Reservation Polling Places Survives Motion to Dismiss

Navajo Lawsuit Against Off-Reservation Polling Places Survives Motion to Dismiss

By EditorJul 19, 2016
Utah - Residents of a Navajo reservation have filed suit against San Juan county election officials after polling places were closed in and around the reservation.  While county voters may mail-in their ballots, the plaintiffs in the lawsuit claim that there is no "in-person" voting available on the reservation, and this interferes with the reservation inhabitant's voting rights.  This week a judge denied the election officials' motion to dismiss.  Read more in the Salt Lake Tribune.
Local Redistricting, Redistricting Race Rules, , , ,
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(Video) Court to Decide Illinois Redistricting Reform Fate Soon

(Video) Court to Decide Illinois Redistricting Reform Fate Soon

By EditorJul 07, 2016
Illinois - Redistricting reform in Illinois will soon get a decision from a court on whether a proposed 11 member redistricting commission can be submitted to voters as a ballot initiative for an up or down vote.  Listen to this local ABC news station interview a representative from the reform group behind the ballot measure on its prospects.   http://abc7chicago.com/video/embed/?pid=1411236
Redistricting, Redistricting Commissions, REFORM, ,
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Colorado Redistricting Reform Fails

Colorado Redistricting Reform Fails

By EditorJul 06, 2016
Colorado - The State's Supreme Court has thrown out two constitutional ballot measures that would have changed how Colorado draws its congressional and state legislative maps. A 4-3 decision ruled that the measures were in violation of the state constitution's "single-subject" rule. The measures would have established a 12- member nonpartisan commission to redraw congressional and state legislative districts. Read more here.
Redistricting, Redistricting Commissions, REFORM, ,
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City in Orange County California Skips Court and Abolishes At-Large Voting

City in Orange County California Skips Court and Abolishes At-Large Voting

By EditorJun 16, 2016
San Juan Capistrano, CA - This town of around 35,000 in Orange County, California boasts a burgeoning Latino population of nearly 40%. City council members have been historically elected at-large by city voters, but a recent lawsuit field by a Latino voting rights group sparked debate and in the end, city officials agreed to elect council members by district; five districts to be exact.       The elections for the districts are staggered; two seats will be up this year. The remaining in 2018. Once all of the districts are in place, Latinos will comprise a substantial portion of two districts,…
Local Redistricting, Redistricting, , , ,
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Augusta City Election Officials Perplexed at Running Elections Without DOJ Supervision

Augusta City Election Officials Perplexed at Running Elections Without DOJ Supervision

By EditorJan 28, 2016
In this local news story, election officials in Augusta City, GA remain befuddled about how to proceed with elections without having to report to the Justice Dept. on their every move. Apparently, the preclearance process has become such an institution in the city, official are at a loss on how to proceed. https://youtu.be/-LCuc1lRx8M
Local Redistricting, Redistricting, Redistricting Race Rules, ,
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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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