All articles tagged with #redistricting
In Virginia’s referendum on redrawing its congressional map, a GOP-aligned group runs ads using Klansmen imagery to warn Black voters, while others claim that quotes attributed to Barack Obama and to Gov. Abigail Spanberger are being used to sway turnout. Civil rights groups and Democrats say the tactics amount to disinformation meant to suppress votes in a high-stakes, nationwide contest over control of the U.S. House.
A Missouri circuit judge ruled that Republicans can implement a new gerrymandered congressional map for the 2026 midterms before voters can weigh in via a veto referendum, effectively sidelining the voters’ constitutional referendum rights and giving the GOP an electoral edge. The ruling is likely to be appealed, and with the March 31 candidate filing deadline, challengers may run out of time to block the map. Plaintiffs say the map should be suspended until the vote, while Republicans have pursued procedural delays; regardless, the practical effect is that the map stands for 2026 unless higher courts intervene.
Utah’s bid to repeal Prop 4 and allow lawmakers to redraw districts again failed after thousands withdrew signatures, leaving the measure short of the required 8% of registered voters in 26 of 29 Senate districts and thus off the 2026 ballot. The outcome comes amid debated tactics, ongoing legal questions, a court-imposed 2026 map, and potential moves—like a constitutional amendment—to tackle ballot-initiative repeal in the future.
Democrats push Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger to aggressively back a redistricting referendum that could tilt the state's House map to Democrats by up to ten seats, but with strong Republican turnout and mixed polling, her national profile hinges on how forcefully she advocates in the weeks ahead as the Virginia Supreme Court weighs potential changes.
Florida Republicans are wary that a mid-decade redistricting push could backfire after surprising special-election wins, with Gov. DeSantis pressing for new maps that might weaken incumbents and shift margins. Democrats warn the moves could become a political liability in November, and lawmakers are weighing potential consequences ahead of an April session to advance redistricting.
The Virginia redistricting fight is undermining Governor Abigail Spanberger’s reputation as a moderate Democrat, as partisan map battles, immigration policy debates, and affordability proposals reshape her image and agenda ahead of midterm elections.
Missouri’s Supreme Court ruled lawmakers can redraw congressional maps after each census and kept the state’s photo-ID requirement, while striking down broad restrictions on voter-registration and absentee-ballot outreach, a decision that preserves a GOP-favored map for now and leaves ongoing referendum efforts to challenge it.
The Missouri Supreme Court ruled that state law does not bar mid-decade redistricting and upheld a Republican-drawn congressional map signed by the governor last year, a move intended to help the GOP win a 2026 House seat by reconfiguring districts around Kansas City. The decision solidifies the map despite ongoing efforts to block it via a voter referendum and separate lawsuits; Secretary of State Denny Hoskins backs the map, six Republicans have filed to run for the newly drawn seat, and advocacy groups including People Not Politicians and the NAACP are pursuing challenges in court.
Missouri's Supreme Court ruled 4-3 that the legislature can redraw congressional districts mid-decade without violating the state constitution, a win for Republicans ahead of the November elections; Democrats continue pursuing lawsuits over compactness and a referendum to block or freeze the map, though the ruling narrows their chances of overturning it before the vote.
Activists say they have enough verified signatures to place Missouri’s newly drawn GOP congressional map on the 2026 ballot, meeting the required 5% support in six of eight districts, but certification could be slowed or challenged and a court fight over whether the map can take effect before voters weigh in remains unresolved.
Democracy Docket recaps a busy week centered on MAGA Republicans’ push for a full Senate debate on the SAVE America Act, a voter-suppression measure, while also flagging DOJ missteps in obtaining voter-roll data and a slate of related election stories (including redistricting delays and questions about noncitizen voting), underscoring how voting rights battles and misinformation have become central to the GOP’s strategy ahead of the midterms.
Democrats in Virginia are scrambling to sell a temporary constitutional amendment to bypass the bipartisan redistricting commission and redraw congressional maps ahead of an April special election, arguing it counters GOP gerrymandering even as polls show mixed support in a purple state and turnout is unpredictable; supporters frame it as a temporary fix with a return to the commission after 2030, while opponents and outside groups push back amid a stark fundraising gap.
A Missouri judge voided the ballot summary for a Trump-backed redistricting plan, potentially delaying a voter referendum as protests erupt outside the Capitol over the newly drawn U.S. House districts.
Dorothy McAuliffe, former Virginia first lady and wife of Terry McAuliffe, announced a campaign for Congress in Virginia's newly drawn District 1, signaling a high-profile bid in the state's political landscape.
California Republican Darrell Issa announced his retirement amid the redrawing of California’s 48th District, a development that could further complicate Republicans’ hold on the House majority; he had previously said he wasn’t quitting and endorsed San Diego County Supervisor James Desmond to succeed him.