Monthly Archives: February 2011

“Latinos and Redistricting in the Northeast”

Hispanically Speaking News.

“Over 100 Latino voting rights advocates from throughout the Northeast gathered on Saturday in New York City to develop strategies for promoting Latino community participation in the redistricting process throughout the region. Convened by the National Institute for Latino Policy (NiLP) as part of their Latino Voting Rights Network, the 5-hour Northeast Latino Redistricting Meeting included delegations from Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
The meeting opened with remarks by Cesar Perales, President and General Counsel of LatinoJustice PRLDEF.  . . . Falcón then led discussion of issues requiring further exploration. These included identifying existing resources for advocates, which included presentations by: John Garcia, Redistricting Coordinator with LatinoJutice PRLDEF; Myrna Perez, Staff Attorney with the Brennan Center for Justice at New York University; and Robert Berman, Deputy Chief of the Voting Section of the U.S. Department of Justice. . . . Falcón closed the meeting pointing to the need to discuss next steps and the importance of Latinos in the Northeast seeing themselves as a regional force. He explained the NiLP would be following up by coordinating information between those present and other Latino advocates through its Latino Voting Rights Network information service.  The Northeast Latino Redistricting Meeting was made possible through the generous contribution of their meeting facilities by SEIU 32 BJ and donations by an anonymous member of the Friends of NiLP and of meeting participant Tony Affigne.”

Washington Times: Supreme Court showdown with DOJ

“Supreme Court showdown with Justice”

“Last week, a federal district court heard arguments in a case brought by Shelby County, Ala., challenging the constitutionality of significant parts of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The case may reshape American politics.


At issue is the law requiring the attorney general to approve every single change touching on elections in some but not all states. Little-noticed behavior of the Justice Department makes it more likely the U.S. Supreme Court could invalidate the 45-year-old law, assuming the high court is aware of the offending behavior.”

Full story here.