Louisiana redistricting under attack

Here and here.

Because Louisiana simultaneously submitted this plan to DOJ, and filed for preclearance in federal court, the state runs the risk of having an objection interposed before the court can take up the issue.  If that happens, as a practical matter, it will taint the court’s view of the plan. The state could always withdraw the objection before DOJ gets a chance to interpose an objection.  Even a DOJ request for more information could gum up the court process. 

Nevada Gov vetoes redistricting bill, alleges Democrats violated Voting Rights Act

In Nevada, “Republicans claim the Democratic plan dilutes the influence of Hispanic voters by spreading them into different districts. Democrats accuse the Republicans of packing minority voters into a few districts to limit their influence in other districts.”  This argument and counter-argument on the role of the Voting Rights Act is taking place across the country. 

excerpt from story:

Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval vetoed a redistricting bill Saturday that was zipped through the Legislature by Democratic lawmakers, accusing the majority party of seeking political gain and violating the Voting Rights Act.

“This plan ensures partisan opportunity rather than fair representation of all Nevadans,” the Republican governor said in a two-page veto message that touched off a volley of partisan snapping. “Partisan gerrymandering is not legal, equitable or acceptable.”

Sandoval, the first Hispanic to move into the Silver State’s Governor’s Mansion, said the maps drawn by Democrats dilute the power of minority voters. Hispanics make up about a quarter of the state’s population.

“In the last 10 years, the Hispanic community in our state has grown significantly,” Sandoval said. “The law and common sense requires that we recognize this fact and afford Hispanics an equal opportunity to election representatives of their choosing.”

Democratic leadership was swift to fire back, calling the governor’s veto “an overt act of partisanship designed to appease his Republican base.”

“The Republican Party’s record on Hispanic issues borders between ambivalent and atrocious, so their sudden interest in taking up the mantle of minority voting rights must be examined,” Sen. Mo Denis, D-Las Vegas and chairman of the Senate Hispanic caucus, said in a statement. “Our community will not be used by the Republican Party in a transparent attempt to pack Hispanic voters in to as few districts as possible in hope of winning more Republican seats.”

New voting boundaries must be drawn every 10 years based on Census data. This year, 21 Nevada Senate and 42 Assembly districts must be drawn, and a fourth congressional district must be carved out.

Pennsylvania: Bills mandate proof of ID to vote, work and receive public benefits

In Pennsylvania, voter identification moves forward.

excerpts:

Supporters say enactment of these bills will help combat fraud at the polls, welfare offices and job sites, while critics say it will mean individuals have to rely more on ID and carry around documents with them.


The voter ID bill sponsored by Rep. Daryl Metcalfe, R-12, Butler, is drawing the most controversy since it narrows the list of acceptable forms of ID at the polls.


Under current state law, voters who appear at a polling place for the first time need to show proof of identification. The approved forms of photo ID include a driver’s license, U.S. passport and state and employee ID cards, while the law also allows voters to submit such nonphoto documents as a firearm permit, current utility bill, bank statement or paycheck and government check.


Requiring photo ID each time at the polls can prevent such fraudulent actions as impersonation, fictitious registration, double-voting and voting by illegal immigrants, said Mr. Metcalfe. Photo IDs are already required to board a commercial plane and to cash a paycheck, he added.


One vocal critic of the bill, Andy Hoover, legislative director of the American Civil Liberties Union of Pennsylvania, said it would disenfranchise voters lacking a government-issued photo ID who are disproportionately the elderly, blacks and the working poor.


Mr. Hoover also said little evidence exists that voter fraud is a problem in Pennsylvania

New York: “New law for overseas, military ballots prompts serious look at June”

In New York, an earlier primary is being planned for 2012 – “when” is still the issue.

excerpts:  

In 2012, New York voters will go to the polls for primaries before September, but it’s not clear when the new primaries will be.  The state must move the primary to comply with federal law, but concerns like allowing state legislators to complete priorities without campaign pressures make some reluctant to make the new primaries too early. Elections officials have proposed an end-of-June primary, giving them the best amount of time to handle petitions and create ballots in time to send them to soldiers and citizens overseas.

“We’re not just talking about changing the primary election,” said Jerry O. Eaton, Jefferson County Republican elections commissioner. “We’re talking about changing every section of election dates and updating election law, which is out of date.”

….New York secured a waiver from the federal Justice and Defense departments for the 2010 election, but five boroughs and eight counties were late in sending absentee ballots to out-of-country voters. As a result of the tardy ballots, the state, Justice Department and a federal District Court judge signed a consent order on Oct. 19, the court said it would ensure compliance with the new law in 2012.