Redistricting Update. Week of January 28, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, MO, NC, and WI.

Redistricting Update. Week of January 28, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, MO, NC, and WI.

Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 28, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalRedistricting fights in these states could determine which party controls the US House (CNN) Florida Florida Supreme Court will consider challenge to DeSantis’ redistricting map Louisiana After a court fight, Louisiana's new congressional map boosts Black political power Louisiana lawmakers approve a new congressional map with a second majority-Black district Michigan Justices decline to intervene in Michigan redistricting dispute (scotusblog) Montana Montana officials discuss map redistricting North Carolina Judge denies injunction request in state Senate redistricting lawsuit Wisconsin…
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Redistricting Update. Week of January 21, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, WA,  and WI.

Redistricting Update. Week of January 21, 2024: News from FL, LA, MI, WA, and WI.

Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 21, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalWhich states could get new congressional maps in 2024? (abcnews) The Failed Promise of Independent Election Mapmaking (ProPublica) Florida ACLU sues Daytona Beach, saying redistricting was driven by protecting incumbents Louisiana Louisiana lawmakers approve a new congressional map with a second majority-Black district Louisiana Legislature Passes Congressional Map With Two Majority-Black Districts Michigan Michigan’s Secretary of State asks Supreme Court to pause redistricting for 2024 Redistricting commission begins redrawing Detroit-area state House maps Washington Five new maps proposed…
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Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

Redistricting Update: Week of January 14, 2024. News from MI, NY, ND, and WI.

Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 14, 2024. Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalBrennan Center analysis suggests 2030 redistricting could bring big increases for the South (Ohio Capital Journal) Michigan Michigan redistricting panel asks court for permission to use unconstitutional maps Michigan redistricting commission holds special meeting, decides against raising its salaries Special masters appointed to help redraw Detroit-area districts; these are the important dates Court lays out redistricting timeline for maps ruled unconstitutional New York New York Hispanic Voters File First Lawsuit Under State Voting Rights Act North Dakota Judge…
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Redistricting Update: Week of January 7, 2024. News from GA, KY, MI, NY, NC, and WI.

Redistricting Update: Week of January 7, 2024. News from GA, KY, MI, NY, NC, and WI.

Redistricting developments in the states for the week of January 7, 2024 . Click on the state button for more news and media. NationalRedistricting Decisions Will Reshape Legislative Maps in Wisconsin and Michigan (Democracy Docket) Georgia Georgia lawmakers send redrawn congressional map keeping 9-5 Republican edge to judge for approval Judge rules against civil rights groups in Georgia redistricting appeal Kentucky Kentucky redistricting is upheld Michigan Michigan Political Map Axed in ‘Seismic’ Blow to Commissions 3 Michigan redistricting commissioners resign, random selection to bean held in January Three new members selected for Michigan redistricting commission Michigan redistricting commission votes to…
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Michigan Supreme Court Upholds Maps Against Minority Vote Dilution Challenge

On Thursday, Feb. 3, the Michigan State Supreme Court upheld the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission's maps against a minority vote dilution challenge under Section 2 Voting Rights Act (VRA). Read the Court's opinion/order here. According to the opinion, that decision mostly hinged on the plaintiff's failure to show that any of the Gingle's preconditions were met to establish a Sec. 2 violation. In other words, the was no specific evidence offered by the plaintiffs that Black voters would not be able to elect the candidate of their choice. The crux of the plaintiff's argument, the court explained, was that…
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Michigan Commission’s Congressional Map gets a New Challenge in Federal Court

A federal lawsuit challenging the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission's newly adopted congressional map was filed last week. In what could be a test of how federal courts view the relatively strict population equality standard of the U.S. Constitution, the lawsuit is alleging that the individual congressional district populations are not sufficiently equal. Read the complaint. The congressional map is also being challenged in state court, see Detroit Caucus v. Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission. The federal lawsuit also alleged several other failings of the commission's map including failure to follow the required state legal criteria regarding honoring communities of interest,…
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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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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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Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Launches Online Public Comment Portal

Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission Launches Online Public Comment Portal

The portal allows users to submit written testimony, identified communities of interest, and plan maps for review by the commission. The portal was developed in collaboration with the MGGG Redistricting Lab at Tufts University. You can view the portal introductory video below. Go to the MICRC Portal https://youtu.be/FWfGrEQehUk
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Michigan Redistricting Commission Approves 16 Public Hearing Sites

Michigan Redistricting Commission Approves 16 Public Hearing Sites

Press Release (Mar 17, 2021): The Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) has approved 16 public hearing sites to solicit input from Michigan residents about the redistricting process for congressional, state senate, and state house districts. Before drawing any lines, the MICRC is required to hold at least 10 public hearings. Per the Michigan Constitution, the purposes for the public hearings are to: Inform the public about the redistricting process.Share the purpose and responsibilities of the Commission.Solicit information from the public about potential redistricting plans for U.S. Congressional, Michigan House, and Michigan Senate districts. The public hearings are tentatively scheduled…
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