Significant Mapping Developments

Louisiana

A federal district court preliminarily enjoined Louisiana’s congressional plan as violating the Voting Rights Act. The State immediately appealed the ruling to the 5th Circuit, but Governor Edwards announced a special session would convene on June 15 to enact a remedial plan by the court’s June 20 deadline.

National News

Redistricting News

With the redistricting cycle nearly completed, both parties continue to assess the new electoral landscape in advance of the looming 2022 elections. The U.S. Supreme Court will soon decide whether it will grant certiorari to a North Carolina petition involving the extent of state courts’ authority under the U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause to review and reject state legislatures’ federal election regulations.

State News

Florida

Florida’s Supreme Court declined to assume jurisdiction over the congressional redistricting challenge, leaving lower state courts with the final say on the map before the 2022 elections.

Idaho

Ada County, Idaho, was granted an extension by the U.S. Supreme Court giving it more time to file a petition for the Court’s review of the Idaho Supreme Court’s decision upholding the state’s legislative redistricting plan.

Ohio

The co-chair of Ohio’s Redistricting Commission declined to adopt a new legislative plan despite the Ohio Supreme Court’s order to do so, citing the recent decision by a federal court requiring the state to implement one of the Commission’s earlier legislative plans for the 2022 elections.