Redistricting round-up: Illinois partner files suit against maps, plus other redistricting news

Though the redistricting process in some states has wrapped up for the decade, some are still going strong. Network partners across the region are involved in legal challenges, public hearings, and redistricting competitions. Read on to hear more about what Network partners are doing to make redistricting an open and transparent process for everyone.

Illinois partner files suit against map on First Amendment grounds
Network partner League of Women Voters of Illinois has filed suit in federal court against redistricting maps passed by the Illinois General Assembly earlier this year. The suit alleges that the districts have been drawn in violation of residents’ First Amendment rights, and also asks for the court to institute an impartial process to draw district boundaries. While lawsuits have been filed against redistricting plans before, the First Amendment is a new approach. By using partisan voting data, the League says, the districts created by the plan, which themselves are “public forums,” limit expressive activity protected by the First Amendment.

Unlike other states in the Midwest, both chambers of the General Assembly, as well as the Governorship, are held by Democrats. The Illinois Republican Party, along with some Latino groups have also filed suit against the state, contending that additional Latino majority districts could be drawn under the Voting Rights Act. League of Women Voters of Illinois president Jan Dorner said, “The other issues have been litigated previously and haven’t succeeded. So we thought, ‘Let’s try something brand-new.’ …We’re hoping that it goes national.”

Another Network partner, Brennan Center for Justice, is cited in the State Journal-Register, saying that the Supreme Court has previously ruled that although a political gerrymander can be unconstitutional in theory, one has never been struck down on those grounds.

League of Women Voters of Illinois redistricting lawsuit (PDF)
State Journal-Register: League of Women Voters sues over redistricting
Chicago Tribune: Voter group sues over Democratic-drawn districts for lawmakers

Minnesota partners host public hearings on redistricting
The Minnesota Citizens Redistricting Commission has a slate of public hearings scheduled throughout August. The commission is hosting two meetings in each Congressional district: one before draft maps are drawn, and one after. Public input will be taken on the maps, and will be incorporated into the final maps drawn and submitted to the judiciary panel. Some of the meetings have already taken place, with positive reaction posted in the Northfield Patch and an editorial from ABC Newspapers encouraging participation.

Minnesota Citizens Redistricting Commission: Public hearing schedule
ABC Newspapers: Editorial: Take interest in redistricting for a fair plan
Northfield Patch: Northfield residents speak out on redistricting

Michigan’s redistricting process “fails” says Network groups
Michigan Governor Rick Snyder signed into law the state’s redistricting maps last week, and Network partners issued a reaction, saying that the closed-door process has, “failed – again.” The groups will continue to push for redistricting reform before the 2021 cycle, and they support legislation that would make redistricting plans available to the public before they are voted on, require public meetings to be held, and require the legislature to provide statements on how boundaries were drawn and how they have been changed.

Michigan Redistricting Collaborative: Michigan’s closed door process fails - again

Ohio election law could impact redistricting
A battle over Ohio election law could have an impact on the state’s redistricting process. The Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that a new law that shortens early voting windows and moves the state’s presidential primary from March 2012 to May 2012 faces a ballot recall. If the organizations involved succeed at recalling the law, it will not go into effect on September 30, as intended, and instead will be on the ballot in 2012. The state’s primary will also be reset to March 2012, which will shorten the period of time for redistricting.
Cleveland Plain Dealer: Possible repeal of new elections law puts congressional redistricting in time crunch

The Ohio redistricting competition has also been getting some buzz around the state. Here are some select editorials and pieces on the competition:

Columbus Dispatch: You, too, can take a shot at redrawing districts
Dayton Daily News: Ohioans can draw their own US House, state legislative districts
Read more at Draw the Line Ohio