All pain, whose gain? The surprising implications of a new legal theory for redistricting
(cross-posted with my new Substack) Lots of pixels have been spilled on a legal theory once considered fringe, the Independent State Legislatu...
Can Open Data Save Redistricting Reform?
In light of the recent rulings on partisan and racial gerrymandering from the Supreme Court, it’s time for reformers to go to the trenches. A magic bullet in the form of a ruling from the Supremes would have been great, but I’m not holding my breath.
New in The American Prospect, Ben Williams, John O’Neill, and I describe how Open Data can help in the next round of battles. Read on!
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A small point – the New Hampshire house does have 400 reps, but they come from only 200 different districts
Kennedy announces his retirement effective July 31.
ps://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/justice-kennedy-the-pivotal-swing-vote-on-the-supreme-court-announces-retirement/2018/06/27/a40a8c64-5932-11e7-a204-ad706461fa4f_story.html?noredirect=on&utm_term=.a029c1379871
So, the Hamlet of gerrymandering leaves it all behind – to the next Trump appointee. This is beyond depressing. I had so hoped this wasn’t going to happen at this juncture.
But as Sam has emphasized, there is always the state level, on which progress has been made (Penn. S. Ct.; independent commissions in several states such as mine) and continues to be made.
Yup – stay tuned. It’s not over, not by a long shot.
Not just voting rights – generally there is the question of how to take these battles to the state level.
The departure of Kennedy from SCOTUS changes everything. Reform of political gerrymandering is dead, dead, dead at the federal level. Roe v. Wade will be overturned. Separation of church and state will be trampled. Dismantling of workers’ rights will continue. Gays of every stripe will return to third-class status. Buying politicians will become even easier. Add your own items to this list.