Mayhill Fowler has a good entry over at the huffingtonpost regarding the Texas Gerrymander’s effect on the upcoming Texas Democratic Primary. Here are a few highlights: “In 1992, a panel of three Reagan-appointed federal judges in Texas approved a state senate redistricting map that gave Republicans control of the Texas state senate for the first… Continue Reading
Category Archives: Redistricting
Failure of 93 & Redistricting
Richard Matteis’ commentary at the California Farm Bureau Federation: There is considerable speculation about why the electorate turned down the proposal, but one key factor for many was the belief that changing term limits should be coupled with redistricting reform. As most know, the current legislative districts have been drawn in a fashion to make… Continue Reading
American Bar Association Supports Reform
According to a recent press release the American Bar Association is now urging “each state to assign the process to an independent commission, leaving it to the states to configure the commissions and set suitable redistricting criteria.” “The ABA is continually identifying areas where current legal systems are not working, and suggesting sensible approaches for… Continue Reading
Redistricting Reform in Pennsylvania
From The Intelligencer this article provides instances of legislators behaving better because of competition and Pennsylvania’s own work on redistricting reform: DeWeese had been one of the biggest opponents of openness in state government.He could afford to thumb his nose at the public. His legislative district is drawn to make sure that he seldom faced… Continue Reading
Obama and Redistricting
Responses submitted to the Midwest Democracy Network indicate that Barrack Obama is against mid-decade redistricting and in favor of an independent redistricting commission. The entire questionaire is available as a .pdf here, the relevant sections are quoted below: Issue: Once-A-Decade Redistricting Question V-A: As President, would you support federal legislation prohibiting states from redrawing valid… Continue Reading
Redistricting Reform Fails in Virginia
Here is an article from the Daily Press in Virginia about their attempt at reform: Self-preservation drove the House Republicans to torpedo the measure that would have created a bipartisan panel to revise General Assembly and congressional district boundaries in 2011, following the 10-year U.S. Census cycle. They know, everyone knows, that their party’s control… Continue Reading
CQ Voting and Elections Collection
Check out Congressional Quarterly’s Voting and Elections Collection: Expert Analysis, Demographics, and Data, which has a wealth of redistricting information. Click on the link and search each of their collections categories for “redistricting” and see what happens. Via Hofstra School of Law’s Virtual Library Cat’s Eye View. Continue Reading
Redistricting Roundup
Congressman Devin Nunes argues for the Citizens Fair Districts Initiative in the L.A. Daily News and the San Bernardino Sun: Like lords from the Middle Ages, California politicians rule our state with virtual impunity. Having built moats around their high offices, each morning state legislative leaders and members of Congress wake up secure in the… Continue Reading
The Game Evolves
Once again, you can help make the Redistricting Game even better, as Eliane Alhadeff of the Future-Making Serious Games blog explains: In this session, Chris will present the full version of THE REDISTRICTING GAME. Two leads from the audience will be announced and then each lead will have over 24 hours to compile ideas into… Continue Reading
Redistricting: Idaho
An analysis of reapportionment in Idaho from James Bond’s Monkey House: Reapportionment is a nasty, partisan business. In Idaho, a commission appointed by officials from both major parties is assigned the job of drawing new districts. Each political party wants lines drawn to give them the best chance of winning seats. There are also regional… Continue Reading