New Hampshire voters ask court to draw congressional district map News
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New Hampshire voters ask court to draw congressional district map

New Hampshire voters supported by the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF) Thursday filed a complaint asking the Hillsborough County Superior Court to step in to draw updated congressional districts for the state based on population changes.

According to the complaint, in August 2021 the US Census Bureau delivered to New Hampshire its redistricting data generated from the results of the 2020 Census. The data allegedly portrayed population changes that occurred during the last decade that rendered New Hampshire’s congressional map unconstitutionally malapportioned.

The plaintiffs contended that the data specifically shows that current configuration of New Hampshire’s congressional districts violates Part I, Articles 1, 10, 11, and 12 of the New Hampshire Constitution and Article I, Section 2 of the US Constitution. According to plaintiffs, if the map is not brought into compliance plaintiffs would be forced to cast unequal votes, particularly in the upcoming 2022 midterm elections.

The plaintiffs asked the court to draw the map because they believe that the court and Governor Chris Sununu are unlikely to reach agreement on a new congressional map in time for use during the 2022 elections. They have specifically asked the court to declare that the current districting map is unconstitutional, to enjoin the state from using the map, and to adopt a new congressional map.

Congressional districting maps have also been challenged in other states. On March 16, the Ohio Supreme Court rejected Republican redistricting maps for a third time. On Wednesday, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund challenged the Louisiana legislature’s adoption of a new congressional districting map. 

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