2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline

Press Release, Wednesday, November 10, 2021 PRESS RELEASE 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionReleases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) released draft maps for the state’s Congressional, Senate, Assembly and Board of Equalization districts ahead of the CA Supreme Court mandated November 15, 2021 deadline. “We are finally here. We proudly present these draft maps to the people of California as a starting point for public discussion. These are not intended to be final maps and we strongly encourage Californians to continue weighing in until we get it right,” stated Commission Chair Trena…
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Governor Accepts​ Legislative and Congressional Maps From Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission​

Governor Accepts​ Legislative and Congressional Maps From Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission​

Press Release: November 5, 2021 ANNAPOLIS, MD—Governor Larry Hogan today accepted the final certified legislative and congressional maps submitted by the Maryland Citizens Redistricting Commission and transmitted them to the Maryland General Assembly. The governor also signed a proclamation calling for a special session of the General Assembly beginning Monday, Dec. 6 for the purpose of acting on the commission’s maps. The new maps were formally presented to the governor by the commission’s three co-chairs, Judge Alexander Williams, Jr., Dr. Kathleen Hetherington, and Walter Olson. “This is a great day for the State of Maryland and for democracy,” said Governor Hogan. “On behalf of…
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Redistricting Headlines Oct 12 2021: Virginia Commission Implodes, Misses Map Deadline. Oregon Republicans Sue. CO and MI Adopt Maps.

Redistricting Headlines Oct 12 2021: Virginia Commission Implodes, Misses Map Deadline. Oregon Republicans Sue. CO and MI Adopt Maps.

A quick look at redistricting-related news across the USA. National Spotlight: Virginia Redistricting Commission Conflict Produced Tense Moments Last Friday. On Friday, citizen commissioner and co-chair Greta Harris walked out of Friday's meeting of the commission after a tense debate and disagreement over which state legislative maps to recommend to the legislature. This caused the deadlocked commission to miss its initial legal deadline for making its recommendation since several other commissioners walked out with the co-chair as well. Shortly after Harris's exit, she clarified that she had not resigned from the commission, but simply chose to walk out of the…
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VA Redistricting Commission Implodes as Three Commissioners Walk Out

VA Redistricting Commission Implodes as Three Commissioners Walk Out

On Friday, the VA Redistricting Commission's Democratic co-chair Greta Harris, called it quits and walked out of the public meeting of the commission flanked by two more citizen commissioners. The remaining members and staff were left visibly stunned. Watch the video of Harris' resignation and the aftermath below. As of this writing, it is not clear if the Commission will have a quorum to meet on Saturday as scheduled since some members appeared to hold out hope that Harris and the others might return. In the event that they do not, the State Supreme Court would step in after a…
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Ohio Redistricting Commission Maps Challenged in State Supreme Court as “Brazen” Partisan Gerrymander

On Thursday, a lawsuit was filed by the ACLU on behalf of the League of Women Voters of Ohio and the Ohio chapter of the African American trade union group the A. Philip Randolph Institute, as well as a group of individual Ohio voters, challenging the state house and senate maps adopted by the Ohio Redistricting Commission last week. The commission adopted the maps on a 5-2 party-line vote with Republican members voting in favor of the map. The lawsuit alleges the map is a clear partisan gerrymander that violates provisions of the state constitution requiring that districts not be…
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Alaska Redistricting Board Adopts Proposed Redistricting Plans

Alaska Redistricting Board Adopts Proposed Redistricting Plans

Press Release: Sept. 9 2021 For Immediate Release: September 9, 2021 ANCHORAGE – Today the Alaska Redistricting Board adopted two proposed redistricting plansin accordance with Alaska Constitution Article VI Section 10, which requires adoption of at leastone proposed plan within thirty days after the official reporting of the decennial census of theUnited States. The census data was received on August 12, 2021.“We have fulfilled our constitutional obligation and I’m pleased to begin the process of hearingfrom the public over the next 60 days as we develop our final plan,” said Board Member NicoleBorromeo. The Board will be meeting on Friday,…
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NJ Supreme Court Selects 13th Congressional Commission Member after Commissioners Deadlock

NJ Supreme Court Selects 13th Congressional Commission Member after Commissioners Deadlock

The New Jersey Supreme Court selected former Supreme Court Justice John E. Wallace, Jr. as the tiebreaking member of the Congressional Redistricting Commission. The 13-member NJ Redistricting Commission is responsible for redrawing congressional districts.  The appointed members of the commission were unable to agree on who to select as the independent 13th member before a mid-July deadline, and were required by state law to forward the two candidates who received the highest number of votes to the State Supreme Court. The Supreme Court was tasked with selecting the "more qualified" of the two selections by majority vote of its full authorized membership…
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VA State Redistricting Commission Divided on Map Drawing Approach

VA State Redistricting Commission Divided on Map Drawing Approach

The Virginia Redistricting Commission was advised its lawyers to revise existing maps rather than start from scratch, due to time and resources constraints. Read the full wvtf.org story. Listen to audio excerpts from the commission meeting below. Full commission meeting video is available on the Virginia state almanac page. Virginia Public Radio : WVTF (Aug 4, 2021)  
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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Hires Anthony Pane as Chief Counsel

2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Hires Anthony Pane as Chief Counsel

SACRAMENTO, CA—This week, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) announced the hiring of Anthony Pane as Chief Counsel. Mr. Pane joins the Commission from the California Department of Consumer Affairs (DCA), where he managed the day-to-day activities of attorneys and advised Board/Bureaus on Bagley-Keene requirements among other things. PRESS RELEASE : May 7, 2021 2020 California Citizens Redistricting CommissionHires Anthony Pane as Chief Counsel “The Commission is fortunate to have Mr. Pane join our team,” stated Chair Alicia Fernández. “He brings a wealth of experience working for state agencies and advising on Bagley-Keene Open Meeting Act adherence, the state…
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California Citizens Redistricting Commission Announces Redistricting Line Drawing Contract

California Citizens Redistricting Commission Announces Redistricting Line Drawing Contract

PRESS RELEASE: 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Announces Redistricting Line Drawing Contract SACRAMENTO, CA—Today, the 2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission (Commission) announced the approval of HaystaqDNA and Q2 Data & Research, LLC as the contractors selected to assist in the professional and technical drawing of district lines. The Commission is tasked with mapping new districts based on the 2020 Census in conformity with strict, non-partisan rules put in place to ensure fair representation for all Californians. HaystaqDNA and Q2 Data & Research, LLC served as technical consultants to the Arizona and California independent redistricting commissions, respectively, in 2011. The line…
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