Lingering redistricting lawsuits in 15 states could reshape 2024 political battlefield
Cami Mondeaux
Video Embed
At least 15 states still have lingering lawsuits over the reconfiguration of congressional districts based on the 2020 census, which could have a major impact on the 2024 elections as both parties battle for the House majority.
Approximately 46 lawsuits were filed in 22 states seeking to overturn newly redrawn congressional maps that were implemented ahead of the midterm elections, according to the Democracy Docket, a liberal voting rights organization. At least 32 of those lawsuits remain active, possibly changing the political battlefield ahead of next year’s elections.
OHIO’S REDISTRICTING FIGHT HEADS TO US SUPREME COURT
A large number of the lingering lawsuits are in New York and Texas, which hold 26 and 38 House seats, respectively. A handful of lawsuits also remain in the battleground state of Georgia, which is home to 14 congressional districts.
Redistricting occurs every 10 years based on the latest federal census and occurs when each state redraws its congressional district boundaries to reflect population changes and racial diversity.
Lawsuits against these newly redrawn congressional maps can typically drag out for years, largely affecting the final results of consequential elections. Depending on how the remaining 32 lawsuits pan out, some states could use different congressional maps than those that were approved for the midterm elections.
“Although redistricting is often described as a ‘once every decade’ process, that phrasing fails to capture the ongoing litigation that occurs after maps are enacted,” the group said in its report. “The release of census data and reapportionment may happen once a decade, but the process of drawing and redrawing lines will continue throughout the following 10 years.”
More than half, or 52%, of redistricting challenges cited racial unfairness in newly redrawn congressional districts, with another 32% challenging maps for alleged partisan bias. Other lawsuits were filed based on violations of political boundaries, failures to hold public hearings, or unequal distribution of voters to districts.
CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER
Of all the legal challenges brought forth from recent redistricting, four resulted in new congressional maps to be used in the midterm elections, including New York, Maryland, North Carolina, and Ohio.
Republicans were able to flip nine House seats during the 2022 election cycle, giving them a slim majority in the lower chamber. As a result, Democrats only need to flip five in order to win back the majority — meaning any redrawn congressional maps could significantly change the political landscape heading into 2024.