Redistricting
The epidemic of gerrymandering poses a growing threat to our democracy. It's an open secret: more and more legislative districts reflect calculations by those in power about how they can best preserve that power, and fewer and fewer give meaningful representation to communities of voters. Incumbents carve the citizens of their state into districts for maximum personal and partisan advantage, and democracy suffers: neighborhoods are split, competing candidates are drawn out of contention, groups of voters are ‘cracked' or ‘packed' to manipulate their voting power. We like to think that voters choose their politicians-but in the redistricting process, politicians choose their voters.
Well-designed redistricting systems, in contrast, can help ensure that elected public servants actually serve their public. Moreover, they can inspire public confidence in both a process and an outcome recognized as fair.
Building on our analyses of successful and unsuccessful reform initiatives and our extensive study of redistricting practices nationwide, the Brennan Center offers top-flight legal and policy expertise to advocates and officials seeking to develop effective redistricting bills and initiatives. We facilitate consensus on policy goals and then translate those goals into language appropriate for legislation or ballot measures; we also review and analyze text drafted by others for potential constitutional and other legal concerns. Once legislation is introduced, Brennan Center attorneys accept invitations to deliver written and oral expert testimony, and offer strategic advice on building support for reform. The Brennan Center has also frequently filed friend-of-the-court briefs in redistricting litigation, especially those involving the use of redistricting for undue partisan gain or at the expense of minority voters.
The Brennan Center's publications and public advocacy further promote the values of meaningful redistricting reform: counting the population and redrawing the district lines in a way that is equitable, fair, and sensitive to diversity. Most recently, the Center offered A Citizen's Guide to Redistricting, a thorough but user-friendly review of the redistricting process that serves as a valuable primer for those new to the topic and a quick-reference guide for seasoned experts. Earlier publications include The Real Y2K Problem, an accessible analysis of the technical and legal issues facing legislators and reform advocates in redistricting, and Beyond the Color Line?, focusing on the ramifications of redistricting, and the litigation that often results, for race and representation. Brennan Center attorneys have also authored numerous law review articles, magazine pieces, and opinion pieces detailing the promises and challenges of redistricting in the public interest.
LULAC v. Perry (Sup. Ct. consolidated cases) Session v. Perry (E.D. Tex.)
These Supreme Court cases arose from the Texas Legislature’s notorious mid-decade “re-redistricting” of the state’s congressional districts.
This case arose from a partisan gerrymander of Pennsylvania’s 19 Congressional districts following the 2000 census.
The Attorney General of Colorado challenged the constitutionality of the Legislature’s mid-decade redistricting.
Drawing the Lines in Ohio: A Big Step Forward
Last week, the Secretary of State of Ohio experimented with new process of redistricting, inviting the public to draw their own district maps. This open model could revolutionize the way states think about redistricting reform.
Drawing the Lines in Ohio: The Structure of the Competition
In Ohio, citizens were given the tools to draw their own congressional district maps. The exercise demonstrated that reform is possible, and also the degree of improvement that reform might achieve.
Drawing the Lines in Ohio: The Devilish Details
In allowing citizens to draw their own district maps, Ohio set four goals: preserving communities, compactness, competitiveness, and representational fairness. How did they measure up?
Illustrations by Risko
Federal Bill Draws Needed Attention to Redistricting Reform
Today, Congressmen John Tanner (D-TN), Mike Castle (R-DE), and Allen Boyd (D-FL) proposed federal legislation that would substantially change the way congressional districts are drawn. The Brennan Center for Justice at NYU School of Law, a national leader in the effort to draw fair districts, welcomed the return of the issue to national prominence.
NAMUDNO | Center Urges Supreme Court to Uphold a Key Provision of the Voting Rights Act
Brief filed in NAMUDNO. Provision essential to preserving voting rights of minorities.
Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting Released
The Brennan Center, George Mason University, and the Joyce Foundation are pleased to announce the release of A Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting, authored by Brennan Center counsel Justin Levitt.
Testimony before the New York State Assembly Standing Committee on Governmental Operations
Justin Levitt and Kahlil Williams advocate reforms that will create meaningful independence, diversity, and guidance in the redistricting process.
Analysis of Midwest States’ Status Quo
Analyzes the current redistricting process in the five states of the Midwest Democracy Network.
Analysis of Utah Redistricting Standards Commission
Analyzes a Utah redistricting initiative filed in 2009.
Analysis of Fair Districts Florida Initiative
Analyzes two Florida redistricting initiatives filed in 2009