

Redistricting
Redistricting
Unfortunately, incumbents often rig the system to benefit themselves, their party and special interest supporters, manipulating voting maps to dictate the outcome of elections. Two sources of discrimination in voting maps are partisan gerrymandering and electoral systems that under-represent people of color. The result is dysfunction, mistrust and public policies that ignore the will of the people.
CLC advances and supports legal cases that address redistricting violations. CLC is also on the front lines in the fight for fair redistricting practices in the states, and continues to promote voters’ rights to fair districts nationwide.
The Latest on Redistricting
Redistricting Cases and Actions
Michigan voters approved a constitutional amendment to create an independent redistricting commission to redraw the state’s voting districts. Two groups of plaintiffs sued to block its implementation. CLC serves as co-counsel for the Defendant Voters Not Politicians, a nonpartisan, citizen-led organization that worked to pass the constitutional amendment, and is defending its constitutionality.
The issue of gerrymandering has received unprecedented attention recently. Independent redistricting commissions (IRCs) are state-based solutions that change the system of drawing electoral maps to a more open process that is reflective of citizen voices. This helps make politicians more accountable and responsive to their constituents.
CLC is fighting to protect the right of Maine citizens to use the electoral system they voted for by ballot initiative: ranked choice voting, which expands voter choice by allowing them to rank preferences for more than a single candidate.

A strong majority (60%) of Democrats, Independents and Republicans support the creation of independent redistricting commissions to take voting map drawing out of the hands of self-interested politicians.
Though redistricting has always been a problem in American politics, the outsized role of partisanship in the redistricting process has received unprecedented attention across the nation since 2010. We want to arm legislators, good government advocates and activists with the knowledge needed to design an independent redistricting commission for state legislative or congressional districts.

CLC is challenging the city of Virginia Beach's at-large city council election system under Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, as it unlawfully dilutes the voting strength of minority voters and prevents them from electing their candidates of choice.
