VRA Questions
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  Political Geography & Demographics (Moderators: muon2, 15 Down, 35 To Go)
  VRA Questions
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Sol
Junior Chimp
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« on: September 14, 2013, 10:22:19 AM »

I have some questions regarding the VRA, and I'd be curious to see what the folks on her think.

Firstly, how much retrogression is too much? I'm drawing  a fair SC, and Clyburn's district has a rather inflated Black population (I believe due to excessive packing by the GOP). Is it acceptable to decrease the African-American percentage if it allows the map to be fairer?

Secondly, I heard somewhere that drawing a compact, Hispanic-majority district in South Texas is not allowed because it would be considered packing. Is that true?
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muon2
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« Reply #1 on: September 15, 2013, 07:58:42 AM »

I have some questions regarding the VRA, and I'd be curious to see what the folks on her think.

Firstly, how much retrogression is too much? I'm drawing  a fair SC, and Clyburn's district has a rather inflated Black population (I believe due to excessive packing by the GOP). Is it acceptable to decrease the African-American percentage if it allows the map to be fairer?

Secondly, I heard somewhere that drawing a compact, Hispanic-majority district in South Texas is not allowed because it would be considered packing. Is that true?

Retrogression only applies to section 5 jurisdictions, and after this year's SCOTUS ruling there are no currently covered jurisdictions. So as long as a SC plan meets with section 2 it will comply with the VRA.

Packing becomes a section 2 issue when it is used to deny a minority population of their ability to elect candidates of choice in other districts. It is also a factor if a district is drawn solely on the basis of race, which is not allowed.
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krazen1211
Junior Chimp
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« Reply #2 on: September 15, 2013, 12:27:09 PM »

I have some questions regarding the VRA, and I'd be curious to see what the folks on her think.

Firstly, how much retrogression is too much? I'm drawing  a fair SC, and Clyburn's district has a rather inflated Black population (I believe due to excessive packing by the GOP). Is it acceptable to decrease the African-American percentage if it allows the map to be fairer?

Secondly, I heard somewhere that drawing a compact, Hispanic-majority district in South Texas is not allowed because it would be considered packing. Is that true?


That second line is as far as I can tell, a curious rumor of unknown origin. The closest thing I've found to such things being substantiated is a report by some Justice Department official from the Reagan administration.

Compact, Hispanic majority districts exist at the legislative level.
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