Utah Court Throws Out Congressional Map, Orders Redraw

Utah Court Throws Out Congressional Map, Orders Redraw

Utah’s redistricting fight reached a turning point on Monday, when Third District Court Judge Dianna Gibson ruled that lawmakers unconstitutionally repealed the voter‑approved Proposition 4 and ordered the Legislature to enact a remedial congressional map for the 2026 cycle. Proposition 4 passed narrowly by voters in 2018 and was branded “Better Boundaries.” Prop 4 created a seven-member independent redistricting commission and required maps to meet neutral criteria, including equal population, compactness/contiguity, maintaining cities and counties together, respecting communities of interest, and forbidding the drawing of districts to favor or disfavor a party or incumbent unduly. The Legislature could enact or…
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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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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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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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