Missouri’s Special Session was Called to Gerrymander Another GOP Seat, But There May Be More Voter Suppression Ahead

We reported recently on the Missouri governor’s call for a special legislative session to gerrymander another GOP Congressional seat.  What didn’t make the headlines was the governor’s additional request to make the citizen ballot initiative process harder, and limit the power of the voters to check a hyperpartisan legislature.

Texas Governor Signs Gerrymandered Congressional Maps; Missouri Governor Calls Special Session, with More States Likely to Follow

Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed his legislature’s mid-decade Congressional redistricting maps August 29th, manipulated to gain the GOP five seats at President Donald Trump’s request. After California’s move to counteract it, Missouri’s governor called a special session, and more states are considering rigging their Congressional maps.

What is the ‘Gingles Test’ and How Does it Help Decide Voting Rights Act Cases?

Today, we’re looking at a principle called the “Gingles Test” that federal courts use  when determining whether a gerrymandered redistricting map is a violation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.   How that test is interpreted can determine whether minority voters can elect the candidate of their choice, or their vote is diluted by an anti-voter state legislature.