Redistricting Update 1-13-2022

It’s been a quieter week in Redistricting News. so let’s take a look:

Kentucky

On Jan. 8, the Kentucky General Assembly voted in Favor of New: Congressional, State Legislative, and Supreme Court District, Maps, sending them to Gov. Andy Beshear (D).

As of Jan. 12, Beshear has Not acted on the Proposals. Kentucky is a Divided Government with Republicans controlling both Chambers of the Legislature, and Democrats holding the Governorship.

Beshear could Veto any Map Proposals from the Legislature, but Republicans can Override his Veto.

Kentucky is One of Six States that require a simple Majority Vote to Override a Veto.

Candidates for Office in Kentucky have until Jan. 25 to file to run. Lawmakers moved the original deadline, Jan. 7, in order to enact the New District lines.

New Mexico

New Mexico Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham (D) Signed the State’s New Senate District Map into Law on Jan. 6. The Map will take effect for New Mexico’s 2022 Elections.

The State Senate Approved the Senate Map 25-13 on Dec. 16, and the State House Approved the Plan 38-22 on Dec. 17.

After signing the Maps into Law, Grisham called it “a representative map respectful of New Mexico communities large and small alike, ensuring that New Mexicans are fairly represented in the state Senate.”

New Mexico GOP Spokesman, Mike Curtis described the New Maps as “a Democratic power grab and a clear attempt to put New Mexico’s Congressional and legislative districts in the control of Democrats.” Curtis added that the Party was considering Legal action.

New Mexico is the 28th State to complete Legislative Redistricting after the 2020 Census. By this date after the 2010 Census, 32 States had completed drawing New legislative District lines.

North Carolina

On Jan. 11, a Three-Judge Panel, on the Wake County Superior Court, upheld Congressional and State Legislative Maps passed by the Republican-controlled North Carolina General Assembly. Plaintiffs filed a Lawsuit against those Maps alleging Partisan and Racial Gerrymandering.

In the Superior Court Ruling, the Judges said that the Maps were “a result of intentional, pro-Republican partisan redistricting,” but added that developing Maps for Partisan Gain was Not Unconstitutional. The Judges also Ruled that Plaintiffs Failed to prove their Claims of Racial Gerrymandering.

Under the current CongressionalMmap, developed under a Court Order in 2019, Republicans hold an 8-5 Majority. The proposed Congressional Maps Approved by the General Assembly would create Eight strong Republican Districts, Three strong Democratic Districts, and Three Competitive Districts.

The same day as the Superior Court’s Ruling, Plaintiffs filed a Notice of Appeal to the State Supreme Court, where Democrats hold a 4-3 Majority. This Court will make the Final Decision on the Maps.

As of Jan. 12, North Carolina had Not set a Candidate Filing Deadline for the 2022 Elections.










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