As of Oct. 12th, 2021, Six States have adopted New State Legislative District Maps, and Four have adopted New Congressional District Maps. As of this date in 2011, 23 States had enacted New State Legislative District Maps, and 21 had adopted New Congressional District Maps.
Arkansas Legislature Approves New Maps: The Arkansas General Assembly Approved Two Identical Congressional Redistricting Plans on Oct. 7th, One from the House and One from the Senate, and sent them to Gov. Asa Hutchinson (R), who may either Sign, Veto, or take No Action on the Legislation. If Hutchinson does Not act, the Maps will be adopted on Oct. 27th. Under the Proposed Maps, Two of the State’s Counties would be Split between Multiple Congressional Districts: Sebastian County, which isSsplit into Two Districts, and Pulaski County, the State’s most Populous County, which is Split between Three Districts.
Opponents of the Proposal said the Division of Pulaski County, where less than Half the Population identifies as White alone, was conducted along Partisan and Racial Lines. The Map’s Supporters say Pulaski’s Central Location requires it to be Split in order to avoid Splitting more Counties elsewhere.
Gov. Hutchinson (R), who is Not seeking Re-Election in 2022, said he would Review the Proposal this week. While he did Not indicate whether he Supports the New Districts, Hutchinson said, “I would urge [legislators] that you do not want to dilute Minority representation or Influence in Congressional races.” Both Chambers of the General Assembly have Republican Majorities.
Iowa Legislature Rejects First Map Proposal: The Iowa Senate Rejected the Legislative Services Agency’s (LSA) First proposed Congressional and State Legislative District Boundaries on Oct. 5th. The Vote was 32-18 along Party Lines with All Republicans Voting against the Plan, and All Democrats for it. Since this was the LSA's First Proposal, Lawmakers could Only Vote to Approve or Reject the Maps, and could Not make any Amendments.
After the Vote, Senate Majority Leader Jack Whitver (R-19th District) said: "Senate Republicans believe LSA can improve the compactness and population deviation of several districts by developing a second redistricting plan. My colleagues and I look forward to reviewing that plan and its compliance with the criteria established in Iowa Code." Senate Minority Leader Zach Wahls (D-37th District) said: "This was a fair map drawn by the nonpartisan, independent commission. It met all the requirements laid out in state law. This is an outrageous use of political power to rig elections in their favor."
Under State Law, the LSA must send a Second Redistricting Plan to the Legislature within 35 days. On Oct. 6th, the LSA said it would Submit its Next Proposal by Oct. 21st. On Sept. 14th, the Iowa Supreme Court Extended the State’s Deadline to complete Legislative Redistricting to Dec. 1st.
Ohio Redistricting Commission: The Ohio Legislature did Not Complete the State’s Congressional Redistricting Plan by the Sept. 30th Deadline, which means that the Ohio Redistricting Commission has until Oct. 31st to adopt a Plan. That Seven-Member Commission is composed of: Gov. Mike DeWine (R), State Auditor Keith Faber (R), Secretary-of-State Frank LaRose (R), and Two Legislators from each Party.
A Majority of the Commission's Members, including Two Members belonging to the Minority Party, must agree on a Map. If the Commission is unable to adopt a Map, State Legislators will have a Second chance to adopt a Congressional Redistricting Plan by Nov. 30th. That Map would have to be Aproved by Three-Fifths of the Legislature's Total Membership, including One-Third of the Minority Party's Members, to be Valid until the Next Census.
Virginia Misses Initial Redistricting Deadline: The Virginia Redistricting Commission did Not meet its Initial Oct. 10th Deadline to Complete a Legislative Redistricting Plan as specified in State Law. The Commission now has an additional 14 days to Submit a Legislative Redistricting Proposal which the General Assembly can only Approve or Reject without making Amendments.
If the Commission does Not reconvene to draft Legislative Maps, or if the Maps they Submit to the General Assembly are Rejected, the Virginia Supreme Court will Redraw the Districts. Currently, a Majority of the Court’s Members are Republican Gubernatorial Appointees. Virginia is conducting Redistricting this year, under a New Process that State Voters Approved in 2020, which established a 16-Member Commission of Eight Legislators and Eight Citizens. Virginia’s New Legislative Maps are Scheduled to go into effect for the 2023 Election Cycle.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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