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Redistricting
Every voice should be heard and every vote should count equally
Redistricting
Every voice should be heard and every vote should count equally
Democracy works best when our voting maps are fairly drawn on a nonpartisan basis to ensure that Americans can participate equally in the election of their representatives.
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, including the landmark case, Gill v. Whitford. CLC litigated Whitford at trial and argued the case before the U.S. Supreme Court. CLC also represents North Carolina voters in the Supreme Court case, League of Women Voters of North Carolina v. Rucho.
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.
I feel voiceless. I don’t feel connected to my district or representative anymore.
Helen Harris, Wisconsin voter and plaintiff in CLC's case Gill v. Whitford
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. A group 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.
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Active
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.
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Active
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.
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We Fight for Fair Maps
Majority of Americans Want the Supreme Court to Rein in Partisan Gerrymandering
An overwhelming majority (71 percent) of Americans want the Supreme Court to place limits on lawmakers’ ability to manipulate voting maps. This includes 80 percent of Democrats, 68 percent of Independents and 65 percent of Republicans.
Designing Independent Redistricting Commissions
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.
Combating Latino Underrepresentation in Carpentersville, Ilinois
CLC notified the Village of Carpentersville, Illinois, that its at-large voting system prevents Latinos from electing candidates of their choice to the Village Board. Weeks after alerting the Board to these issues, the Village President appointed a Latina to the Board. CLC is in discussions with the Board and community about adopting ranked choice voting, and other programs that will promote minority representation and civic engagement generally.
Quite simply, gerrymandering must be terminated, and the sooner the better.
Arnold Schwarzenegger, former governor of California
Join the Movement for Fair Maps