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.
Redistricting 101 | State-By-State Advocacy | Redistricting In The News
The Brennan Center has produced a variety of materials on redistricting including a 90-minute full training curriculum for advocates and analysis of reform proposals in states.
About the Brennan Center's Redistricting Work
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. The Brennan Center's publication include:
- 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.
- The Real Y2K Problem, an accessible analysis of the technical and legal issues facing legislators and reform advocates in redistricting.
- 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.
United States v. Village of Port Chester
Brennan Center represented Fair Vote in providing remedy to a Section 2 challenge against the Village of Port Chester.
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.
Redistricting: Keeping California from reaching #1?
We’ve discussed again and again, the singular dysfunction of New York’s legislature. But California, with a $20 billion deficit contributing to the worst credit rating in the country, and a recent mess in which they either confirmed or did not confirm a lieutenant governor, is fighting for the #1 spot. Can better redistricting help?
Count This As a Big Step Forward
Now that the Census will deliver prison-count data in time for redistricting plans, learn how to use that data effectively to finally reduce the effects of prison-based gerrymandering.
How Latinos Can Build Political Power in Port Chester, NY
On Friday, a federal judge settled a three-year dispute concerning how the Village of Port Chester elects its trustees. Latinos make up about half of Port Chester’s population, but no Latino had ever been elected within the Village. Read more…
Illustrations by Risko
Advocates Commend Census Bureau for Enhancing States’ Access Prison Population Data in 2010
This week, the Census Bureau has agreed to produce a new data product that will assist state and local governments in avoiding prison-based gerrymandering, whereby districts that contain prisons are given extra representation in the legislature.
Coalition Urges New York to End Prison-Based Gerrymandering
Today the Brennan Center for Justice urges New York State Senate and Assembly leaders to end prison-based gerrymandering. In most of New York, people in prison are counted in the Census where they are incarcerated rather than in their home communities. This policy skews the demographic characteristics in both urban and rural locales throughout the state. The campaign being launched today will urge passage of legislation that would use the 2010 Census to count people who are in prison in their home districts rather than the districts where they are incarcerated. Sponsored by Senator Eric Schneiderman and Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries, the legislation could affect the redistricting landscape in upcoming elections.
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.
Testimony of Justin Levitt before the Illinois Senate Redistricting Committee
Justin Levitt provides an overview of the need for reform in Illinois and highlights some important components effective reform should incorporate.
Testimony of Justin Levitt before the Indiana Census Data Advisory Committee
This testimony lays out an overview of the need to change Indiana’s redistricting process and details some important components of effective reform.
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.
Choosing California’s State Redistricting Citizen’s Commission
Guidelines for choosing the state redistricting auditors for California. Process, Powerpoint presentation, and criteria….
Analyses of Illinois’ Fair Map Amendment and HC16
Comparisons of 2010 Illinois redistricting citizens’ ballot initiative, a leading legislative proposal, and the process currently in place for drawing Illinois state and congressional districts.