For folks who are new to the process of community-driven redistricting, how would you describe the work you do at CLC?
The work I do at CLC focuses on litigation, which means I help communities and voters whose voting power has been weakened, and challenge unfair election systems and maps in court. The cases that we bring are usually on behalf of voters of color or voters who are discriminated against based on partisanship. The best part of my job is getting to work with our wonderful clients, who are individuals and groups dedicated to fighting for their right to participate in the electoral process and who care deeply about the right to vote.
How do Independent Redistricting Commissions (IRCs) help create fair maps?
Generally, IRCs help create fair maps in several ways. They take the power of drawing district lines away from self-interested politicians. They also provide a procedure for assessing maps that allows for meaningful community input and more transparency than legislative-drawn maps. These reforms to the redistricting process often lead to maps that are fairer in terms of representation of communities of color and partisanship.
What does your work look like after the current redistricting cycle is over and the maps that will shape American voters' lives for the next 10 years are in place?
The drafting and passage of maps is just the beginning of the redistricting cycle. After maps from this cycle are put in place, they will continue to impact the lives of individuals for at least the next decade. Legal challenges will be brought against unfair maps at all levels across the country, including school boards, city councils, county boards, state legislative and congressional. CLC will be involved in challenging unfair maps, whether for minority vote dilution, racial or partisan gerrymandering or other grounds. Voters in various states may also be interested in implementing IRCs and other policy reforms, and CLC is often involved with those efforts.
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