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Edited by Geoff Pallay
| Other states featured in this week's Roundup
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As the filing deadlines for the 2012 elections get closer and closer, the redistricting process is becoming more and more frenetic across the country.
In the last two weeks, redistricting maps have been approved, thrown out by court, and introduced at a rapid rate across the country. The most intensive and controversial events have occurred in Florida, Missouri, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.
- Florida: The Florida State Senate has succeeded in getting largely bi-partisan approval for its State Senate and US House redistricting plans. The plans passed on January 17 by a 34-6 margin. Opponents argue that the maps gained support by protecting incumbents and, thus, violate the new redistricting amendments. However, redistricting committee chair and incoming Senate President Don Gaetz (R) defended the plans as the product of bi-partisan cooperation. Gaetz also argued that opponents plans would have weakened minority influence districts. The map is expected to favor Republicans--the GOP could theoretically hold 21/27 seats after the 2012 elections. A legal challenge is expected. However, some Republican districts were softened in order to accommodate the state's demographic changes. As predicted, Allen West will be among those weakened. The plans now proceed to the House, where a committee vote is expected today and a floor vote is expected next week. These votes will also address House redistricting.
- An interactive version of the congressional map can be found here.
- Missouri: On January 17, the Missouri Supreme Court overturned the state's Senate redistricting maps. The court found that the Senate plan unconstitutionally divided counties. The court also addressed two lawsuits concerning Missouri's new congressional districts, ordering a lower court to review the maps for compactness -- the lower court had initially rejected the lawsuits without considering the question. After these successes for redistricting opponents, a lawsuit was filed against the new state House plans with the Supreme Court. The court declined to hear the case and directed plaintiffs to filed the case in state circuit court. A new 10-member redistricting committee, composed of residents, will be appointed by the Governor to redraw the Senate maps. It is unclear if the revision process will be completed in time for the February 28 candidate filing deadline.
- New York: After a number of delays, the Legislative Task Force on Demographic Research and Reapportionment (LATFOR) released proposed Senate and Assembly maps yesterday. Gov. Cuomo has long stated he would veto any lines not drawn by an independent process, but on Thursday, prior to the release of the maps, he was unclear about his course of action after the plans were released, saying he wants to see how the process plays out. After the lines were unveiled, however, a spokesman for the governor said that at first glance the districts were unacceptable and likely to be vetoed. The Senate plan includes the addition of a 63rd seat in a Republican dominated area upstate which would result in the division of Albany, a Democratic stronghold, for the first time. Additionally, the map merges four Senate districts based in Queens into two, all four of which are represented by Democrats, including Michael Gianaris, Chair of the Democratic Senate Campaign Committee. The Assembly's plan would create three Asian-majority districts and merge two upstate Republican districts into one. LATFOR will be holding nine public hearings on the plans beginning Monday and going through February 16.
- Pennsylvania: After hearing arguments on January 23, the state Supreme Court threw out the new legislative maps just two days later by a vote of 4-3. Calling the redistricting approach "contrary to law," the court ruled current district lines would stay in place until the Legislative Reapportionment Commission could devise a plan that was legal. With the signature filing deadline for state legislative candidates quickly approaching on February 14, the 2012 elections could take place in districts that were drawn in 2001. The court did not immediately specify its problems with the maps - it is expected to render its full opinion soon. Democrats had argued that the new map unnecessarily split counties and municipalities.
- Texas: The US Supreme Court ruled last Friday that the interim maps that had been put in place by a San Antonio federal court could not stand, sending the maps back to the lower court for redrawing. The Supreme Court said that redistricting is primarily a legislative responsibility and that the San Antonio court didn't give enough credence to the maps drawn by the Texas legislature. The ruling ordered the San Antonio court to use the legislative maps as a starting point for redrawing the boundaries. Texas officials saw this as a big win, although the ruling means 2012 election dates are again in jeopardy. Meanwhile, a three-judge federal panel in DC court continued hearings this week on whether the state's legislatively-drawn maps violate the Voting Rights Act. Testimony wrapped up yesterday and closing arguments are scheduled for Tuesday. Back in Texas the San Antonio court is holding a status conference today regarding their plans moving forward for drawing new maps and accommodating the election schedule.
Here's the rest of the news from across the country.
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