Redistricting is a process in which, after the census is conducted at the start of every decade, state legislatures evaluate and redraw their state’s electoral maps, usually to account for changes in population and shifting demographics as people move out of state or consolidate in different urban areas. These maps determine the districts to which residents are assigned when they vote on who will represent them in federal, state, and local government bodies. Redistricting determines the boundaries for congressional districts, state legislative districts, and local districts, like school boards, city councils, and county commissions. It also sometimes determines those for other statewide or sub-state bodies, such as state boards of education, utility commissions, and judicial districts.
Electoral maps can hide mechanisms to silence Black voters and drastically impact Black voters’ opportunities to elect candidates of their choice who understand their experiences and will prioritize policies that communities desire. Disproportionate representation and the “packing and cracking” of Black voters in and out of districts can shut Black voters out of the political process, both infringing on their right to participate equally in their democracy and potentially diminishing their trust in their government. The district you vote in can affect every part of your life. And fair legislative maps mean you have an opportunity to make positive changes in areas that impact you every day. Fair maps mean having a voice in lower prices, better schools, safer streets, accessible health care, fresher food, and so much more. Fair maps mean a chance to make lasting changes for the better.
LDF has been on the frontlines to defend all voters’ right to fair representation at every level of government. Discriminatory redistricting maps are a catalyst for oppressive legislation that targets our most vulnerable and historically abused communities. However, we know that when diverse communities are fairly represented, quality of life improves for all. Achieving equal representation and being able to cast equal and effective votes depends in part on redistricting maps that are drawn fairly to reflect and respect our communities.
Here, we’ve compiled a state-by-state look at our work to fight for fair maps and fair representation at every level. Since the redistricting process kicked off in 2021, LDF been working tirelessly to ensure equal representation in Alabama, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Georgia.
Today, LDF and Allen v. Milligan plaintiffs submitted a remedial redistricting plan following the Supreme Court’s decision in Milligan. In affirming the three-judge district court’s preliminary injunction
BATON ROUGE, La. — The Legal Defense Fund (LDF), American Civil Liberties Union, ACLU of Louisiana, law firm Cozen O’ Connor, and Louisiana attorneys
CONTACT: Ella Wiley, LDF, media@naacpldf.org Inga Sarda-Sorensen, ACLU, 347-514-3984, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org WASHINGTON – In a historic win for voting rights, the U.S. Supreme Court today
Today, the Legal Defense Fund (LDF) and Wiggins, Childs, Pantazis, Fisher & Goldfarb filed a lawsuit on behalf of Cara McClure, Greater Birmingham Ministries
Washington, D.C. — October 4, 2022 — Plaintiffs and attorneys in Merrill v. Milligan, a case challenging Alabama’s new congressional map for diluting the
Allen v. Milligan FAQ LDF’s Case Challenging Alabama’s Redistricting Maps and Why it Matters On June 8, 2023, the U.S. Supreme Court issued
CONTACT: Legal Defense Fund, media@naacpldf.org Inga Sarda-Sorensen, ACLU National, 347-514-3984, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org WASHINGTON – The U.S. Supreme Court granted an emergency stay today in Robinson v. Callais,
CONTACT: Legal Defense Fund, media@naacpldf.org ACLU National, media@aclu.org SHREVEPORT, La. – Today, a group of Black voters and civic organizations filed a notice of
SHREVEPORT, LA. – A crucial test of the movement toward equal voting rights will unfold at a hearing and trial to be held from
CONTACT: Inga Sarda-Sorensen, ACLU National, isarda-sorensen@aclu.org, 347-514-3984 Lauren Gaines, ACLU of Louisiana, lgaines@laaclu.org Phoebe Plagens, Legal Defense Fund, media@naacpldf.org, 646-979-7382 BATON ROUGE, La. —
BATON ROUGE, La. — Black voters and civil rights groups moved to intervene in a new lawsuit late yesterday that would invalidate the congressional
Following years of litigation, Black voters finally set to achieve fair map BATON ROUGE, LA – Today, the Louisiana Legislature passed a map that
On December 29, 2021, LDF Deputy Director of Litigation Leah C. Aden, South Carolina NAACP President Brenda Murphy, ACLU Senior Staff Attorney Somil Trivedi
Lawsuit: Gerrymandered State House Map Intentionally Discriminates Against Black Communities COLUMBIA, S.C. — Civil rights groups have filed a legal challenge over South Carolina’s
Today, LDF, the ACLU, the ACLU of South Carolina, and the South Carolina NAACP sent letters to the South Carolina Association of Counties (SCAC)
LDF, the South Carolina NAACP, and the ACLU of South Carolina sent a letter to the Lancaster County, South Carolina Council concerning (1) how
This week, LDF submitted six documents to the South Carolina House and Senate redistricting committees offering testimony and comment on proposed redistricting maps. The
Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP Challenging Racial Gerrymandering at the Supreme Court Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the
Read a PDF of our statement here. Today, after succeeding in convincing county lawmakers to pass a new map that provides fair representation to
Case: Voting Rights and Redistricting NAACP Fayette-Somerville Branch, et al. v. Fayette County, Tennessee, et al. Fighting for fair maps and representation in Fayette
Today, the Legal Defense Fund and Donati Law, PLLC filed a lawsuit on behalf of 5 individual Black voters and the Fayette-Somerville Branch of
At the Supreme Court, LDF argued that a congressional map that was in place during the 2024 election cycle should remain because it satisfies both the Voting Rights Act (VRA) and the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment.
This piece explores how three states with discriminatory maps have shirked their responsibilities to their constituents, paving the way for the passage of oppressive legislation.
Understanding the role of race in the redistricting process as a means of ensuring equitable representation and political power is critical.
Despite its major influence on elections and people’s lives, however, redistricting is complicated and easily misunderstood. We break down how redistricting works and how communities canengage
We’ve compiled answers to frequently asked questions about the seminal U.S. Supreme Court case Allen v. Milligan and its impact on voting rights and redistricting.
LDF Report
LDF, MALDEF, and AAJC published a guide to the redistricting process, outlining how communities can get involved and advocate for fair maps.
