A Virginia Tech expert on the topic of gerrymandering is available to discuss the U.S. Supreme Court decision to hear a potentially landmark case involving election redistricting.
On Monday, the court agreed to take up a case from Wisconsin in order to determine whether it may have involved constitutional violations because of partisan gerrymandering.
Virginia Tech political scientist Nicholas Goedert is available for interviews to discuss the topic and its possible impact.
Quoting Goedert:
“The Supreme Court has heard a lot of cases involving redistricting, but has never before struck down a map, purely on the basis that it was too partisan, that it advantaged one party at the expense of the other party. In hearing the appeal of this case, it could perhaps rule that the Wisconsin map – drawn by Republicans – was too partisan.”
“If the Supreme Court agrees with the lower court ruling, it could create some massive changes in how maps are drawn, especially following the 2020 census. There would be a lot more consideration that legislatures would need to use when redrawing districts. However, I think that is a less likely outcome but it’s certainly not an impossible outcome.”
“There is a very gradual, very slow movement toward state’s adopting a more non-partisan process when it comes to redistricting. Every couple of years we see a state or two adopting a commission or new constraints designed to make the process more non-partisan. There is movement in the positive direction.”
To secure a live or recorded interview with Goedert, contact Bill Foy by email, or by phone at 540-998-0288.
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