In the 80's and 90's, the idea of term limits took hold across the country. Activists pushed them as a way of bringing change to moribund legislatures, while angry voters dissatisfied with their local governments seized on term limits as a way of holding politicians to account. Term limits represented an important part of the “Contract With … [Read more...]
Search Results for: Gerrymandering
Kentucky Right to Work Law Upheld, Ohio Republicans Pass Stand Your Ground Bill
Republicans in control of the governments in two states – Ohio and Kentucky – won big victories in mid-November, as the latter's Right to Work law was upheld by a state court and the former's GOP-dominated legislature passed a controversial stand your ground bill. These victories show just how meaningful control of state governments can be, … [Read more...]
Voter Suppression Tactics Fail as Minorities Exercise Voting Rights
Voter suppression tactics used by Republicans and one rare Democrat, who have rejected minority voters’ ballots due to innocent errors, are being exposed and challenged just two weeks before a groundbreaking midterm election. Nearly two-thirds of registered voters are showing a high level of interest—the highest recorded in a midterm since the Wall … [Read more...]
2018 Midterms Preview
The 2018 midterm election projects to be one of the most consequential in recent history. At stake is Congressional oversight of the Trump Administration, the future of the federal court system, impending Congressional re-districting and a staggering range of elected positions. If you've been too busy to obsess over American politics, here are … [Read more...]
Redistricting Cases Being Considered Throughout the US
Several cases being considered by the Supreme Court and a slew of other cases being heard throughout the country could point toward a radical change in US politics. For years, the issue of partisan gerrymandering has been swept under the rug, in a process of constant deferral. Ever since Davis v. Bandemer, Justices have found it difficult to … [Read more...]
Federal Court Strikes Down Redistricting Map in North Carolina
On February 9th, a federal court in North Carolina struck down a redistricting map, agreeing with the Plaintiffs’ that it was an example of unconstitutional partisan gerrymandering. A three-judge panel rendered the unanimous decision and, in doing so, made history, as this was the first-ever federal court decision to strike down a map due to … [Read more...]
Pennsylvania Supreme Court Gerrymander Victory May Supersede High Court’s Jurisdiction, Legal Analysts Say
On Monday, The U.S. Supreme Court succeeded in blocking a panel of North Carolina Federal judges from striking down 13 congressional districts as Republican partisan gerrymanders until an appeal can be prepared. However, the Pennsylvania’s Supreme Court’s decision this week to redraw all of the state’s 18 congressional districts in a major … [Read more...]
Native Americans Fight for the Right to Vote
Throughout the country, Native Americans have been fighting for basic rights that allow them to fully participate in the US democratic process. In a lot of cases, Native Americans are fighting over voting rights, as many states that are home to large Native populations have taken it upon themselves to actively exclude those same populations through … [Read more...]
US District Court Disapproves of North Carolina’s Redistricting Map
Gerrymandering is nothing new, but recent political developments mark a new chapter in the lengthy saga of legislative re-districting. Starting in 2010, the Republican State Leadership Committee commenced the REDMAP project in an attempt to overtake state legislatures and governor mansions. With loads of funding, the GOP won 700 new seats in the … [Read more...]
