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Redistricting Reform

The redistricting process in this country is almost completely determined by political considerations. The result is legislative districts that often splinter communities and pack together members of each party, essentially predetermining the outcome of the general election. Powerful computer technology now allows partisans to totally control the demographic and political composition of districts. And in recent years we have seen some states engage in mid-census redistricting with the explicit purpose of benefiting the party in power.

Gerrymandering may help selected incumbents, but it lowers voter turnout across the board and therefore cuts the overall number of progressives likely to be elected to office. Progressive leaders can help restore responsiveness and accountability to government by supporting independent redistricting commissions established with a strong mandate to compose districts that serve the people and not politicians. This is a strategy that has even garnered the official support of the American Bar Association.

Fostering fair redistricting requires carefully constructing the redistricting commission and establishing rules such as requiring supermajority support and balancing membership between partisans and unaffiliated members. Common Cause has produced a comprehensive set of guidelines for establishing effective commissions. Another important reform is banning mid-census redistricting.

Several states have redistricting procedures that are independent of legislators, and some have seen redistricting reforms advance in the past few years.

Iowa uniquely has legislative staff draft districts under a list of statutory mandates that seek to make the process apolitical. The state has enjoyed a high percentage of competitive elections compared with the national average.
Arizona voters approved a move to independent redistricting in 2000. Their system picks commission members from a pool nominated by a pre-existing body that handles appellate court appointments. The district map is mandated to begin as a grid, and to be adjusted to meet certain requirements such as compliance with the Voting Rights Act, equal populations, and compact and contiguous districts.
California, Florida and Ohio have all seen recent drives to establish independent redistricting as well.

NCSL — Redistricting Commissions
NCSL — What is a Competitive District, What is a Community of Interest?
American Bar Association — Redistricting Resolution
Brookings Institution — The Competitive Problem of Voter Turnout (podcast)
Americans for Redistricting Reform
Common Cause — Redistricting Guidelines
FairVote — Redistricting Reform
League of Women Voters — Redistricting
Brennan Center for Justice — Redistricting
Campaign Legal Center — Redistricting
Arizona Redistricting Law
Legislative Guide to Iowa Redistricting

Redistricting Guidelines

From the Dispatch

New York: One Signature Away from Ending Prison-Based Gerrymandering

Aug 12, 2010

Legislation to end the practice of prison-based gerrymandering in New York, included within the 2011 state budget, passed both the Senate and Assembly last week. Once Gov. Patterson approves the budget package, the bill will go into effect in time for next year's redistricting efforts.
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States and the Census: Expanding Outreach, Maximizing Federal Funding and Assuring Equal Representation

Mar 29, 2010

This Dispatch will outline strategies that include crafting outreach and education initiatives that integrate city and state government agencies with grassroots organizations and local media to ensure 'Hard-to-Count' residents are included in the Census; enacting state legislation that mandates prisoners are counted in their home districts rather than in that of their prisons, and proactively considering principles for redistricting legislative districts that move beyond uniquely partisan concerns to addressing the needs of district residents. This Dispatch will also aim to provide some of these best practices and highlight resources, all with a view toward preparing states to engage effectively with the 2010 and — looking forward — 2020 Census.
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Prisoners of the Census: How the Incarcerated are Counted Distorts our Politics

Sep 14, 2009

This Dispatch will outline the serious problems that counting prisoners where they are incarcerated, instead of where they lived before their conviction, has caused for governance at the state and local level. States around the country have introduced legislation to determine redistricting for elections based on the home community of the incarcerated, a key reform to achieve both democratic results and economic justice within our states.
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The Supreme Court and the States 2008-2009: Trend Defending State Authority Emerges this Term

Jul 14, 2009

Whether out of circumstance or an emerging trend, where state authority was at issue, this term the U.S. Supreme Court overwhelmingly deferred to state decision makers-- a significant reveral from last year.
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