As California works through the process of setting up its own independent redistricting commission, there is much it can learn from the experiences of other independent redistricting commission, such as Arizona’s. In that vein, our thanks to the staff of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission and the Arizona Administrative Office of the Courts for digging up… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Redistricting
Piece in Charlotte Observer Calls for Redistricting Reform
In a strongly worded piece in Sunday’s Charlotte Observer, Taylor Batten, editor of the newspaper’s editorial board, calls for the North Carolina Legislature to approve of identical bills that are floating around the state’s House of Representatives and Senate. Batten artfully describes the process in terms that those unfamiliar with redistricting can relate to: You… Continue Reading
Massachusetts Legislature Rejects Independent Redistricting by Wide Margin
Last Friday the Massachusetts House of Representatives rejected allowing an independent redistricting commission to suggests districts in a 132-23 vote against an amendment according to the State House News Service. Instead the House will effectively control the Congressional and Legislative redistricting committee with 21 of the 28 members being from that Chamber. The House Chairman… Continue Reading
Kansas Considers Non-Partisan Redistricting Reform
According to the Topeka Capital-Journal, state legislators in Kansas are considering enacting redistricting reform that would make non-partisan legislative staff the ones responsible for drawing the lines for State Legislative, Board of Education, and Congressional Districts in the state. Legislative leaders in both houses and parties have gotten on board, with the only notable holdout… Continue Reading
DoJ Preclears CA Prop 11
Today the US Department of Justice gave its formal approval to California’s Proposition 11 redistricting reform measure. This is the final step in approval of Prop 11. The independent redistricting commission is now official. As noted in the DoJ Preclearance Letter, future steps in this process will require additional DoJ review. These include any regulations… Continue Reading
Group Pushes for Independent Redistricting in Louisiana
According to the New Orleans Times-Picayune, the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana is pushing for the Louisiana Legislature to agree to move to an independent redistricting commission rather than having the legislature draw the lines as they do currently. However party and legislative chamber leaders from both sides of the aisle deadpanned the idea:… Continue Reading
Doug Johnson on Open Primaries on New York Times Blog
Doug Johnson was featured today in a recently created New York Times website blog named, “Room for Debate” that follows and comments on the news as it happens. Today the blog is focusing on the recently passed California Budget. Doug comments on one of the last minute compromises in budget negotiations that led holdout Republican… Continue Reading
Opinion Piece in Arizona Daily Star Calls Independent Redistricting Success
A recent opinion piece in the Arizona Daily Star by Steve Lynn, the head of the Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, calls the commission’s work a success. Mr. Lynn particularly highlights the improved competition in Congressional districts: Over the last four elections, voter loyalties have shifted, both nationally and in Arizona. The Republican trends of 2002… Continue Reading
VA Governor and DNC Chair Calls for Redistricting Reform in VA
Tim Kaine, Governor of the state of Virginia and President Obama’s recent choice to be head of the Democratic National Committee recently called on members of the Virginia House of Delegates to pass a bill that would create an independent redistricting commission according to a report by WHSV Channel 3 in Virginia. The Virginia Senate… Continue Reading
Editorial Blasts Virginia House of Delegates Vote Against Redistricting Reform
A recent editorial in the Washington Post takes issue with a vote in the Virginia Legislature against redistricting reform. A subcommittee of the Virginia House of Delegates Privileges and Elections committee voted along partisan lines, with Republicans in the majority, to put a stop to bills that would change who draws congressional and state legislature… Continue Reading