Professor Ann Lousin Says Election Maps Legal, Not Logical

Dec. 23 – Chicago News Cooperative

Prof. Ann Lousin quoted:

Ann Lousin, an elections expert at The John Marshall Law School, is “never sure what it means,” she said. “One could easily say that certain racial and linguistic and ethnic groups are all pretty inward-looking and therefore have a community of interest.”

So the court admits the Democratic map is imperfect but, in a footnote, says the Republicans’ version is similarly flawed.

The lesson? “If the legislature drafts a map that complies with one person, one vote and also complies with the Voting Rights Act, as interpreted, the courts won’t second-guess the legislature,” Lousin said.

“The legislature” means the majority Democrats. So centralized power wins out. Like gambling in Casablanca, that may not be a shock. But eat your heart out, City Council.

Read more: Warren: Election Maps Legal, Not Logical

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