Voting Symposium: Redistricting and the 2012 Election

ACS hosted “Political Participation: A National Conversation Examining the State of Voting Rights for 2012.”In February 2011, the Census Bureau began releasing the full-count population data that drives redistricting across the country. Many states have redrawn political lines to ensure population equity among districts. Some of these changes will impact federal, state, and local elections. What did the 2010 Census tell us about America’s changed demographics? What is the status of the redistricting process in the states? Where has litigation emerged to challenge new redistricting maps? What are the emerging legal issues? How will the new plans impact minority representation? Panelists examined these questions and discussed the impact of the adoption of newly drawn districts for the 2012 election.

The panel featured:

• Moderator, Charles Mahtesian, National Politics Editor, Politico
• Jessica Ring Amunson, Associate, Jenner & Block
• E. Mark Braden, Of Counsel, Baker Hostetler
• Anita Earls, Executive Director, Southern Coalition for Social Justice
• Marcia Johnson-Blanco, Co-Director, Voting Rights Project, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
• Nina Perales, Director of Litigation, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund