Campaign Legal Center Issues a Performance Review of Redistricting Commissions during the 2021 Cycle

Campaign Legal Center Issues a Performance Review of Redistricting Commissions during the 2021 Cycle

On June 26, the Campaign Legal Center (CLC) released a report evaluating the performance of various redistricting commissions in the 2021 redistricting cycle. According to CLC, it was "based on an in-depth review of the laws and procedures that governed commissions in each state, as well as an assessment of each commission’s redistricting process. The report presents a number of case studies from the 2021 cycle, which summarize how particular commissions functioned in practice and distills general principles that can be drawn from each commission’s experience." Read the report titled "Redistricting Commissions in the 2021 Redistricting Cycle." Find us on:
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NY Court Orders Redistricting Commission to Draw a “Second” Congressional Map

NY Court Orders Redistricting Commission to Draw a “Second” Congressional Map

Today New York's Supreme Court, Appellate Division directed the state's Independent Redistricting Commission (IRC) to submit a second congressional map to comply with the NY State Constitution. This decision (with 2 of 5 judges on the panel dissenting) will likely be appealed to the state's highest court. A state court has already required the IRC to draw and submit a second state house map after its initial failure to agree on any state redistricting map in January of 2022. Read the court's opinion here. From the court opinion: "The IRC had an indisputable duty under the NY Constitution to submit…
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Briefs Filed in Litigation to Redraw New York’s  Congressional Map

Briefs Filed in Litigation to Redraw New York’s Congressional Map

Last week, briefs were filed in a case brought by a group of voters to redraw New York's current congressional map. The state used a map drawn by a court special master to conduct the 2022 election after a map drawn by the legislature was deemed a partisan gerrymander. The New York legislature had only passed its map after a newly established independent redistricting commission (NYIRC), deadlocked on maps in January of 2022. Now the question is whether the legislature, the commission, or both can have another go at it. A trial court in September of 2022 unequivocally answered "no"…
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OH Supreme Court Rejects Ohio Commission Maps for a 2nd Time. Describes Their Efforts as “Misguided.”

The Ohio Supreme Court on Monday rejected a 2nd revised map of state Senate and House districts drawn by the Ohio Redistricting Commission. The first map was invalidated by the court on Jan 12. The latest maps, adopted by the commission on Jan. 22nd, still violate state constitutional provisions prohibiting maps that favor any one political party according to the court. The commission must adopt a 3rd plan and file it with the court by February 18, 2022. Read the order here. The court interprets the state constitution's proportionality standard to mean that any map should reflect the average voting…
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Watch: New York Redistricting Commission Deadlocks on Maps

Watch: New York Redistricting Commission Deadlocks on Maps

The New York State Independent Redistricting Commission met on Monday, Jan 3, but could not come to a consensus on any redistricting map. The members split 5-5 on votes for congressional, state senate, and state house maps. Instead, the commission sent two versions of each to the state legislature for consideration. The meeting was contentious at times. Watch the meeting below. The legislature must adopt one of the commission's maps by a two-thirds vote, if they do not adopt a map the commission will get a second chance at recommending a set of maps by a Feb. 28, 2022 deadline.…
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Michigan Commission Finalizes Redistricting Maps After the Holiday Weekend

Michigan Commission Finalizes Redistricting Maps After the Holiday Weekend

The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission approved congressional and state legislative maps on Tuesday, Dec. 28. The 13 member panel voted 8-5 for a congressional map, 9-4 for a senate map, and 11-2 for a house map. View the maps and media coverage below. The commission had endured some controversy over its decision to not release documents and audio from a closed meeting on Oct. 27 regarding minority voting issues. In the end, the state supreme court ordered their release. The maps have also received criticism from state civil rights authorities. 2021 Final Redistricting Maps (click to view interactive map)…
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VA State Supreme Court Approves New Congressional and State Legislative Maps after Commission Misses Deadline

VA State Supreme Court Approves New Congressional and State Legislative Maps after Commission Misses Deadline

After the Virginia Redistricting Commission failed to submit a redistricting plan by the governing statutorydeadlines, the Supreme Court of Virginia assumed responsibility for the establishment of congressional and state legislative boundaries following the 2020 census. On Tuesday, Dec. 28, 2021, the court accepted the special masters' recommendation for maps and adopted final maps for the state. Read the court's final order below. Click on maps to go to interactive map viewer. Congressional Senate House
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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Delivers Maps to California Secretary of State

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Delivers Maps to California Secretary of State

PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                        MONDAY, DECEMBER 27, 2021 SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the California Citizens Redistricting Commission delivered California’s Congressional, State Senate, Assembly, and Board of Equalization maps to the California Secretary of State. The Commission drew 4 Board of Equalization districts, 52 Congressional districts, 40 Senatorial districts, and 80 Assembly districts. The Commission concluded its work with a press conference to provide final remarks.  Facebook Live Video: https://www.facebook.com/WeDrawtheLinesCA/videos/1025976441284444 Pictures: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/16dA9XYJs-GQri8TZJHabA23DPk6FcFiD?usp=sharing In Response members of the Commission and Secretary of State Issued the following Statements: "I want to thank the Redistricting Commissioners…
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Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Finalizes Maps

Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission Finalizes Maps

The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission adopted final congressional and state legislative maps on Dec. 22. The 5 member commission voted unanimously for the congressional district map and approved the state legislative map on a 3-2 vote. View the maps and read media coverage below. Click maps to view interactive version Arizona 2021 Congressional DistrictsArizona 2021 Legislative Districts Media coverage Redistricting in Arizona could lead to a political shakeup (12news.com) Arizona redistricting panel approves map that appears to favor Republicans (thehill.com) Fractious Final Day Ends With Acrimony And Accusations As Redistricting Commission Splits On Legislative Map (patch.com) Who won and who…
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New Jersey Redistricting Commission Adopts Congressional Map

New Jersey Redistricting Commission Adopts Congressional Map

On Dec. 22, the New Jersey Congressional Redistricting Commission adopted a new congressional map. The map passed on a 7-6 vote which included all of the Democratic members and the tiebreaker chairman (selected by the state Supreme Court) of the commission. View the map below. Visit the New Jersey page for more info. New Jersey 2021 Congressional Districts News Coverage https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAbn53Ci6Ao New Jersey has approved a new congressional map drawn by Democrats (Philadelphia Inquirer) New congressional map for New Jersey keeps status quo in Hudson County (Hudsonreporter.com)
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