Redistricting
The United States faces a growing threat to representative democracy, one that rivals the impact of a corrupt campaign finance system and barriers to voting: an epidemic of gerrymandering that denies voters a true voice in selecting lawmakers. 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. When politicians gerrymander districts to protect incumbents or dominance by a single political party, they deprive voters of basic rights. Gerrymandered districts stifle competition and produce legislatures that do not reflect the diversity and views of the voters. In contrast, well-designed redistricting systems can ensure that the legislature actually represents the people, through both a process and an outcome recognized as fair.The Center offers top-flight legal and policy expertise to advocates and officials on the national and state level 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. The Center reviews and analyzes text drafted by others for potential constitutional and other legal problems. Once legislation is introduced, Brennan Center attorneys accept invitations to deliver written and oral expert testimony.
Finally, the Center's publications and public advocacy have amplified the values of redistricting reform: counting the population and redrawing the district lines in a way that is equitable, fair, and sensitive to diversity. In anticipation of the round of redistricting following the 2000 Census, the Brennan Center offered The Real Y2K Problem, an accessible analysis of the technical and legal issues facing legislators and reform advocates in redrawing the nation's legislative and congressional districts. Our publication Beyond the Color Line? focuses 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.
Barnyard Animals and Redistricting Reform
The Brennan Center salutes any and all who support meaningful and effective redistricting reform. But we hope said supporters are converting more of our Turkey Lurkeys into Henny Pennys, and not the other way around.
The lights in Hollywood shine a little bit brighter on Oscar night, but who knew how much light they would cast on New York? The incumbency advantage of elected officials combined with their control of redistricting ensures that, like the awards show, that though the outfits change in the legislature, the people wearing them rarely do.
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.
Ink blot or a congressional district?
This op-ed in surveys the landscape after the Supreme Court’s decision in LULAC v. Perry.
‘Bizarre’ Districts’ Double Standard
Buery sets the stage for a decision in Hunt v. Cromartie.