Supreme Court to hear potentially landmark case on partisan gerrymandering

[Gothmog]

Source: Washington Post

The Supreme Court declared Monday that it will consider whether gerrymandered election maps favoring one political party over another violate the Constitution, a potentially fundamental change in the way American elections are conducted.

The justices regularly are called to invalidate state electoral maps that have been illegally drawn to reduce the influence of racial minorities by depressing the impact of their votes.

Read more: https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/courts_law/supreme-court-to-hear-potentially-landmark-case-on-partisan-gerrymandering/2017/06/19/d525237e-5435-11e7-b38e-35fd8e0c288f_story.html?pushid=5947d3dbf07ec1380000000a&tid=notifi_push_breaking-news&utm_term=.568b0ffda435

[Ligyron]

1. This may well determine the fate of our country.

[Hortensis]

8. Well, could mean a lot for the near fate. I'm taking deep breaths

every time I think of what we could gain with just this case. However, if we lose, it just means this particular path to needed improvement is closed off, until revisited in another era.

Gerrymandering itself will continue either way since it does serve important functions, and in both cases the 2020 census will of course still be an enormous factor of course.

"Kennedy said he could envision a successful challenge “where a state enacts a law that has the purpose and effect of subjecting a group of voters or their party to disfavored treatment.” What was elusive, Kennedy said, was “a manageable standard by which to measure the effect of the apportionment and so to conclude that the state did impose a burden or restriction on the rights of a party’s voters.”

"Former president Barack Obama has said that one of his post-presidency projects will be to combat partisan gerrymanders after the 2020 Census."

[Calista241]

2. This will be interesting. Minority districts are mandated by the CRA.

I hope they resolve this complex issue fairly.

[Shell_Seas]

3. I live in Texas

In Congressional District 6. It encompasses 8 different towns, but mostly only PARTS of those towns. Primarily it leaves out the black and Hispanic areas of the same towns for other districts. The top of district 6 is a very populous area, while the middle and bottom of it is completely rural.

It's absolutely nonsense. There is no reason (logically) why the district would be drawn this way EXCEPT to ensure it stays republican.

If gerrymandering ended in Texas, then without a doubt, Texas would turn blue and ultimately change the entire national landscape of politics in America (electoral college).

This is a big deal.

http://www.chron.com/news/politics/texas/article/This-is-how-badly-Republicans-have-gerrymandered-6246509.php#photo-7107651

[EllieBC]

4. That sounds like California's infamous Ribbon of Shame.

Long but narrow (only a mile wide at one point) coastal district. It no longer exists. It was ridiculous.

[Shell_Seas]

5. It is absolutely ridiculous for those of us that live here (democrats)

Our Congressman is the highest paid congressman in Texas from NRA contributions and District 6 was the epicenter of the Open Carry Movement a few years ago. I wouldn't put a left-leaning bumper sticker on my car if you paid me to, (personal safety).

[BumRushDaShow]

10. Currrent PA-7

It snakes through 5 counties trying to pick up R votes in the blue/purple/light red rim counties N, NW, and W of Philly. Before this gerrymandering, this was Joe Sestak's district (Democrat).

Last week a group announced that they were taking the PA Congressional gerrymandering to court (cases had happened back in 2011 for the state legislative districts that had to be partially redrawn). At issue - the state voter registration is 51% Democrat and 49% Republican yet the Congressional delegation is 13 GOP and 5 Democrat due to the gerrymandering.

[EllieBC]

13. Honestly, CA's worked in our favour. But it really had to go.

Gerrymandering is bad even if it could benefit us. Usually it doesn't though.

That's a lovely shaped district they made.

[Gothmog]

15. Arnold Porter is working on that case

Arnold Porter is a great firm. That will be a fun case to watch

[Shell_Seas]

16. The only way Republicans can stay on top is by cheating.

[cstanleytech]

7. I suspect it would be more purple than blue but ya the gerrymandering is way out of control in much

of the country and hopefully the courts will have the common sense to order the people that are setting up the districts to knock it off.

[Gothmog]

14. Trial in the Texas redistricting case starts July 10

I do not think that CD 6 is one of the districts that will be involved but I will check

[Shell_Seas]

17. It's not....

There are only 2 districts I believe, both near the boarder.

[Gothmog]

19. CD 35 is involved and that district will affect several districts

The three main districts involved in the July 10 trial are CD 27, CD 23 and CD 35. In addition, there was a finding of intentional discrimination for Dallas that could put some of these districts into play

[Shell_Seas]

20. Thanks.

[RandySF]

6. This is why elections matter

We would be in much better shape with a 5-4 SOTUS majority.

[LiberalLovinLug]

9. Yup, that's why they held out to steal a seat

They still have a goal of a permanent Republican majority. And now they have the courts to back them up.

I wouldn't have much hope of anything changing soon now.

[not fooled]

11. Time for koch poodle

gosuck to earn his keep.

Sincerely hope I'm wrong.

[Doug the Dem]

12. Sure, they'll Hear It

But don't count on them LISTENING.

[FakeNoose]

18. OK guys, this is it

Time to bring out the big guns!

(so to speak)

[MichMan]

21. Didn't the Voting Rights Act require it?

Didn't the Voting Rights Act require gerrymandering to ensure majority minority districts?

[Gothmog]

22. From the Brennan Center

Link to tweet

[Bengus81]

23. Gerrymandering in Kansas brought you years of Todd Tiahart and then

Mike Pompeo and now that lacky in a special election, Ron Estes. Before that Democrat Dan Glickman was elected over and over.