See the CNN video on Gerrymandering referenced
o When (typically) does the federal redistricting process happen, and why?
o Why is this only a concern with House members? (simple question)
o Who typically controls this process (what level and bodies of government)? (more than most people consider when voting…)
o Why hasn’t the U.S. Supreme Court generally gotten involved to this point? (What type of gerrymandering have they become involved in previously?)
o Discuss “cramming”/“packing” and “cracking”/”splitting”. Why is this done, or what is the presumption in doing so? (Note that the two comparisons made at ~15:50 aren’t quite “opposite.”) I.e., what has happened in North Carolina?
o Why are the two Congressmen/women interviewed who represent Florida defending this practice? (What is their rationale?)
o Consider and include something about what has happened in Florida from 2014 onward, after the video was made, in regards to this issue. In particular, the Florida (re-re-) redistricting process has visited the state Supreme Court as well as the trial courts as recently as September 2015, and a “Special Session” was held from October – November, 2015. Also look at Common Cause v. Byrd , and be sure to address the significant change in Florida Congressional representatives under Gov. DeSantis.
oBriefly research and tie in something about the recent Supreme Court cases on the matter
: the significant 2017-2018 Gill v. Whitford (https://www.supremecourt.gov/oral_arguments/audio/2017/16-1161 ) ,
and the 2019 “finale” (?) 5-4 decision on the matter, Rucho v. Common Cause, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/27/us/politics/supreme-courtgerrymandering.html * and https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/18pdf/18-422_9ol1.pdf .
Then, two follow-up cases were decided based upon the above: Ohio https://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-court-gerrymandering/u-ssupreme-court-tosses-challenge-to-republican-drawn-ohio-congressionalmaps-idUSKBN1WM1K7 and Michigan Page 3 of 3
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/supreme-court-rejects-anotherchallenge-to-partisan-gerrymandering/
And a final (?) case from NC, after a change in their judicial branch: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/nc-supreme-court-overrulesdecision-that-struck-down-voting-maps/arAA1aueOD?ocid=msedgntp&cvid=d1b969b14ff8443f8a5d7109779ae85c&ei =13
*What did David Lewis (the rep, not the judge!) of NC say in the Rucho argument? Do you agree?? (Unrelatedly, he was later sentenced to probation on campaign finance charges… feel free to Google this if you are looking for some “karma” here!)
Your opinion
o How severe do you think this problem is, and how should we fix this issue??