The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for June 1, 2023
Gerrymandering Cases Still Percolating in Georgia, Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas, and Utah
Today’s Script: (Variations occur with audio due to editing for time)
Today’s Links now below the script
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Three years into the every-10-year redistricting cycle and challenges are still percolating around the country. We have short updates from Georgia, Massachusetts, Florida, Arkansas, and Utah.
Two cases contesting Georgia’s congressional districts as racial gerrymanders violating the 14th amendment may be going to trial. Common Cause v. Georgia, which includes another case, NAACP v. Georgia had pre-trial hearings on Monday.
The cities of Boston, Massachusetts and Jacksonville, FL just approved new voting district maps. WBUR reports that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed new city council maps after a judge threw out existing maps as a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment. The Florida Times-Union reports that the City of Jacksonville twice redrew its school board maps after a federal court decision favored civil rights and citizens groups. A settlement forces the city to use maps drawn by the plaintiffs until 2030.
KSL Salt Lake reports that democracy groups filed suit claiming that Utah’s legislature created “an extreme partisan gerrymander” after ignoring the state’s independent redistricting commission and creating its own, highly partisan congressional districts.
An appeal on Arkansas’ congressional map was dismissed last week, with a three judge panel ruling that a group of Black voters failed to prove that racial gerrymandering was the primary factor in diluting their voting power.
We have more on these cases and the groups taking action at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
All About Redistricting – Common Cause v. Georgia / Raffensperger
Democracy Docket – Massachusetts Boston City Council Redistricting Challenge
WBUR – Mayor Michelle Wu signs off on new Boston electoral map
Florida Times-Union – Jacksonville City Council approves redistricting settlement 15-3
KSL Salt Lake – Watchdog groups back lawsuit against Utah’s redistricting, allege partisan gerrymandering
Democracy Docket – Federal Court Dismisses Challenge to Arkansas Congressional Map
Groups Taking Action:
Georgia: Common Cause GA, Georgia State Conf. of the NAACP
Boston: NAACP Boston Branch, MA Voter Table, New England United for Justice, La Colaborativa
Jacksonville: Northside Coalition of Jacksonville, Florida Rising, NAACP Jacksonville Branch, ACLU of Northeast FL
Utah: League of Women Voters Utah, Mormon Women for Ethical Government
Arkansas: Christian Ministerial Alliance Little Rock, ACLU Arkansas
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