A Flurry of Redistricting Activity Happened Over the Holidays. Here is a Recap

By EditorJan 03, 2022

An incredible amount of redistricting activity occurred over the holidays in over 10 states. It's safe to say you missed most of it. Here is your post-holiday update. Map Adoptions 5 states adopted/enacted redistricting maps just before or after the Christmas holiday. This includes 3 independent citizens commissions, 1 state supreme court, and 1 enactment via a governor's signature. Arizona The Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission adopted final congressional and state legislative maps on Dec. 22. The 5 member body voted unanimously for the congressional district map and approved the state legislative map on a 3-2 vote. Click here for interactive maps and media coverage,…

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Michigan Commission Finalizes Redistricting Maps After the Holiday Weekend

By EditorDec 29, 2021

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

By EditorDec 28, 2021

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

By EditorDec 27, 2021

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

By EditorDec 24, 2021

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

By EditorDec 24, 2021

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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2020 California Citizens Redistricting Commission Releases Draft Maps Ahead of Deadline

By EditorNov 11, 2021

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

By EditorNov 06, 2021

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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Ohio Redistricting Commission Maps Challenged in State Supreme Court as “Brazen” Partisan Gerrymander

By EditorSep 24, 2021

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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VA Supreme Court Rejects Challenge to Prisoner Reallocation Law

By EditorSep 23, 2021

The Virginia Supreme Court has rejected a legal challenge to a state law that changes how prison inmates are counted for purposes of redistricting. The petition for a writ of mandamus from the court had alleged that the Virginia legislature acted outside of the "prescribed constitutional amendment process" when it enacted statutory criteria regarding the reallocation of prisoners. It argued that while the commission along with other redistricting criteria was created through referendum and constitutional amendments, the prisoner reallocation statute was not and thus violates the state constitution. The petition had asked the state supreme court to prohibit the commission…

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