New York Court Sends Congressional Redistricting Map Back to Independent Commission; SCOTUS Sets Date to Consider South Carolina Congressional Map

Brian Beihl

The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for July 18, 2023

Map source: Democracy Docket

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.

Thursday, a New York state appeals court ordered a redrawing of the state’s Congressional districts.  The next day, the U.S. Supreme Court set a date for a South Carolina case which could greenlight MORE gerrymandering. 

In 2022, New York’s independent redistricting commission couldn’t reach an agreement on new maps, and a Democratic legislature gerrymandered maps favoring Democrats.  Republicans appealed and the Democratic maps were thrown out in March 2023, replaced by maps drawn by a county judge which ended up favoring Republicans in the midterm election.  

Democracy Docket reports that a five judge panel found the independent redistricting commission had submitted only one of the two proposals mandated before the lower court judge preempted its work.   While the appeals court ruled the independent commission should submit new maps, the decision is expected to be challenged again in New York’s highest court before the 2024 election.

The U.S. Supreme Court has announced a date of October 11th, 2023 for Alexander v. the South Carolina NAACP.  This closely-watched case has elements of both racial gerrymandering, which the court ruled against in the Milligan decision, and partisan gerrymandering, to which the U.S. Supreme Court has turned a blind eye since 2019.   It could provide legal cover for future manipulation of voting district maps.

We have more on each of the cases at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org.  I’m Brian Beihl.

Today’s Links

Articles & Resources:
NPR – (2022) New York’s top court rejects congressional maps drawn by Democrats
Democracy Docket – New York Court Orders Redraw of Congressional Map. How Did We Get Here?
Politico – Mid-level court hands Democrats victory in New York redistricting case

State of New York Supreme Court, Appellate Division – Decision in HOFFMANN v. NEW YORK STATE INDEPENDENT REDISTRICTING COMMISSION

Groups Taking Action:
Brennan Center for Justice, Common Cause NY, Campaign Legal Center

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