At the link. The Democrats fought it all the way because it might hurt their partisan advantage but Hispanics were eventually given an increased level of representation. However, it will likely not be enough to elect an Hispanic candidate. The Republicans got some level of fairness and competitiveness in the line-drawing evolution. The vestiges of past Democrat partisan line-drawing were generally left intact though with only moderate tweaks by the special masters to reduce some of the inherent unfairness of the lines. What has to be worrisome for the Democrats is that there may now be real opportunities for Republicans to reduce the artificial gerrymandered Democratic majority in coming elections. When legislators adjourned June 7 without an agreement, redistricting fell into Russell’s court after both parties filed lawsuits. Russell said Thursday he accepted the special masters’ analysis that majority-Hispanic districts were not needed, largely because Nevada does not have a history of white voters refusing to back Hispanic candidates. No objections were expressed Thursday by Republican lawyers on his decision. Under the redrawn maps, the 1st Congressional District will have a 43 percent Hispanic population
Gov. Brian Sandoval last spring vetoed two Democrat-passed redistricting plans, largely on the grounds that they did not create a Hispanic-majority congressional district or 12 Hispanic-majority legislative districts.