Articles by Aleks Kajstura
- An easy way to avoid prison gerrymandering
A handful of communities avoid prison gerrymandering and redistricting.
May 16, 2013
- Census Bureau’s Advance Group Quarters Summary File: Two years later
Now that most state and local redistricting efforts have come to a close, it's clear that this data has been central to our recent advocacy efforts.
May 16, 2013
- Vigo County settles lawsuit, avoids prison gerrymandering
Vigo County will vote to approve a redistricting plan that excludes the incarcerated population at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex.
Apr 10, 2013
- Public hearing on bill to end prison gerrymandering in Oregon
Oregon House Committee on Rules held public hearing on redistricting bills, City Club of Portland supports bills to end prison gerrymandering .
Mar 7, 2013
- Vigo County Indiana redistricting case implicates prison gerrymandering
Vigo County IIndiana faces drawing a district where 13% of the population is actually people incarcerated at the Terre Haute Federal Correctional Complex.
Mar 6, 2013
- Rhode Island organizations testify in support of bill ending prison gerrymandering
Rhode Island Senate Committee on Judiciary heard testimony from the Rhode Island ACLU on S 147, a bill to end prison gerrymandering in the state.
Mar 5, 2013
- New Virginia bill to finally free all local governments from prison gerrymandering
New Virginia bill (HB 1339) to end state's requirement that some counties engage in prison gerrymandering passed House, is making its way through Senate.
Jan 30, 2013
- Kentucky considers ending prison gerrymandering
Peter Wagner, our executive director, is in Kentucky today testifying about BR 219, a bill to end prison gerrymandering, before the Kentucky General Assembly Task Force....
Nov 27, 2012
- Calif. Governor signs bill to improve law ending prison-based gerrymandering
The governor of California just signed a bill (AB 1986) into law that improves California’s historic law ending prison based gerrymandering. The LA Times has some....
Sep 14, 2012
- For California Counties, Preventing Prison-Based Gerrymandering is the Norm
Once again, ten California counties with large prison populations avoided prison-based gerrymandering when redrawing their board of supervisors' districts.
Sep 13, 2012
- Calif. bill to improve law ending prison-based gerrymandering awaits governor’s signature
California's historic law ending prison-based gerrymandering is about to get even better. The California Senate just passed a bill (AB 1986), that improves....
Aug 23, 2012
- New Jersey bill to end prison-based gerrymandering passes first step
New Jersey bill to end prison-based gerrymandering (SB 1055) passed the Senate's Committee on State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation.
May 15, 2012
- Calif. Assembly passes bill to improve law ending prison-based gerrymandering
Calif. Assembly passes bill improving law ending prison-based gerrymandering: includes federal prison populations and increases data precision.
May 9, 2012
- Interactive redistricting software adjusts Census data for New York
Interactive redistricting tools use our analysis of Census data to adjust redistricting population in New York.
Jan 4, 2012
- Virginia counties may be given more choices in avoiding prison-based gerrymandering
News and Advance reports more counties in Virginia will be given option to avoid prison-based gerrymandering if Delegate Ingram's bill passes.
Dec 30, 2011
- Local governments still struggling with Census’ prison counts
In redistricting, local governments struggle with Census treating prison populations as residents of the prison location.
Dec 30, 2011
- Prison-based gerrymandering in Tennessee Counties
This memo discusses several ways that Tennessee counties could harmonize the federal “one person one vote” principle with the unique requirements of the State Constitution.
Sep 26, 2011
- Michigan spares most counties and municipalities from prison-based gerrymandering
Michigan law will prevent most prison populations from unintentionally skewing representation in local government, but problems still remain.
Sep 26, 2011
- Mansfield, Ohio succumbs to prison-based gerrymandering
Unfounded fears about funding lead to prison-based gerrymandering in Mansfield, Ohio.
Sep 22, 2011
- Detailed demographics of correctional populations now available for nation
Database prepared by PPI for redistricting professionals provides detailed demographics for the correctional population, including race, age and gender.
Sep 13, 2011
- California bill to end prison-based gerrymandering awaits the Governor’s signature
Prison Policy Initiative urges Governor Brown to sign California's bill to end prison-based gerrymandering.
Sep 8, 2011
- California can still curtail prison-based gerrymandering
Prison Policy Initiative and Demos submit testimony and solutions to California's Citizens Redistricting Commission's prison-based gerrymandering problems.
Jul 18, 2011
- Times Union: LATFOR is named as defendant, but not actually defending the law
Not surprising that LATFOR fails to defend the law in court, since it's actually ignoring the law when drawing new districts for New York State.
Jul 13, 2011
- Media’s back to basics guide: redistricting and prison-based gerrymandering
Back to basics coverage of the redistricting process and the issue of prison-based gerrymandering, as the nation starts to redistrict.
Jun 13, 2011
- Massachusetts considers creative solutions to prison-based gerrymandering
Bay State Banner reports on creativity needed to end prison-based gerrymandering in Massachusetts now.
Jun 9, 2011
- California Assembly passes bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
Bill to end prison-based gerrymandering in California passes the Assembly, moves on to consideration by the Senate.
Jun 1, 2011
- Indiana local officials don’t want districts skewed by prisons
Interviews with local officials in Indiana reveal bi-partisan and wide-spread support for ending prison-based gerrymandering.
May 31, 2011
- Connecticut considers prison-based gerrymandering as the re-districting process begins
Common Cause briefing on prison-based gerrymandering in Connecticut draws interest from legislators.
May 18, 2011
- Massachusetts’ Joint Redistricting Committee learning about prison-based gerrymandering
Demos testifies in support of avoiding prison-based gerrymandering in Massachusetts as legislative districts are redrawn.
May 18, 2011
- U.S. Department of Justice approves the end of prison-based gerrymandering in New York
The Times Union ran commentary critical of a lawsuit seeking to bring prison-based gerrymandering back to New York while the DOJ approved the new law.
May 17, 2011
- Maryland releases adjusted redistricting data
Maryland releases redistricting data, adjusted to avoid prison-based gerrymandering in the state.
May 4, 2011
- California legislation to end prison-based gerrymandering
California bill to end prison-based gerrymandering introduced by Assembly Member Davis; Dale Ho of the LDF testified in support.
May 3, 2011
- Organizations stand against prison-based gerrymandering
Formal resolutions and recommendations from organizations and legislative bodies regarding prison-based gerrymandering are now compiled on our site.
Apr 29, 2011
- Hale County, TX will avoid prison-based gerrymandering
Hale County Judge Bill Coleman will avoid prison-based gerrymandering in redrawing the district lines for the County.
Apr 28, 2011
- New York Times: Real Prisoners, Phantom Residents
New York Times editorial calls for court to uphold law banning prison-based gerrymandering.
Apr 25, 2011
- State Senators hurt own districts in filing law suit
Senators' law suit hurts their own constituents, as well as New York residents around the state.
Apr 11, 2011
- Opposition to returning prison-based gerrymandering to New York
Opposition is heard as some state legislators file suit to force prison-based gerrymandering on all New York State residents.
Apr 7, 2011
- Racine County, WI, seeks to avoid prison-based gerrymandering
Racine County Supervisors are looking into ways to avoid prison-based gerrymandering for the coming decade.
Apr 7, 2011
- Court Should Reject Lawsuit Seeking to Manipulate Prison Populations in New York Redistricting
Press Release: Court Should Reject Lawsuit - Voting Rights Groups Support Improved Rules for Counting Incarcerated Persons
Apr 6, 2011
- McAlester, OK, faces drawing city wards distorted by prison population
McAlester's new City Charter may inadvertently force the City to engage in prison-based gerrymandering.
Apr 6, 2011
- Miss. counties have simple solution to complex gerrymandering
Mississippi counties face complex gerrymandering problems unless they exclude prison populations when redistricting.
Apr 4, 2011
- LaSalle, Louisiana avoids prison-based gerrymandering
LaSalle Parish, Louisiana, adjusted Census population to avoid prison-based gerrymandering when redistricting last week.
Mar 30, 2011
- Videos of Connecticut testimony
Video of testimony presented before the Connecticut Judiciary Committee on HB 6606.
Mar 30, 2011
- Illinois bill to end prison based gerrymandering will leave funding unchanged
Ill. bill to end prison-based gerrymandering (HB94) will ensure equal representation while leaving aid to communities with prison populations untouched.
Mar 30, 2011
- Media guides to redistricting
Two media guides to redistricting: the Brennan Center gives a general overview and ours focuses on counties and local governments with prison populations.
Mar 29, 2011
- Ohio feels effects of prison-based gerrymandering
Cleveland Free Press article on prison-based gerrymandering takes national perspective on issue facing Ohio.
Mar 29, 2011
- Prison-based gerrymandering threatens more Wisconsin governments
Cities in Wisconsin face drawing districts with no actual residents, just prison population. More Wis. fact sheets available.
Mar 29, 2011
- Conn. held hearing on bill to end prison-based gerrymandering
Conn. Legislature's Judicial Committee hears testimony on bill to end prison-based gerrymandering.
Mar 25, 2011
- Wisconsin fact sheets updated for coming redistricting
New fact sheets about prison-based gerrymandering in Wisconsin's upcoming redistricting efforts.
Mar 16, 2011
- In case you were wondering about prisons and apportionment
Apportionment was not affected by the prison count. The prison count is largely a problem for districting within a state, not between states.
Dec 21, 2010
- New York Senate explains prison-based gerrymandering
The New York State Senate explains the state's prison-based gerrymandering problems, and highlights changes for the upcoming redistricting cycle.
Dec 14, 2010
- Prison-based Gerrymandering coming to Nebraska?
A new prison in Johnson County may bring prison-based gerrymandering to Nebraska.
Dec 8, 2010
- Brennan Center releases 2010 Redistricting Guide
The Brennan Center published an updated "Citizen's Guide to Redistricting" highlighting prison-based gerrymandering among redistricting challenges.
Dec 1, 2010
- Connecticut renewing legislative efforts to end prison-based gerrymandering
"New Haven legislator eyes inmate residency" highlights efforts to end prison-based gerrymandering in Connecticut.
Nov 29, 2010
- Redrawing the Lines
LDF launches "Redrawing the Lines" program website. Explanations of prison-based gerrymandering are included in the public education materials.
Nov 19, 2010
- Voting rights issues map includes prison-based gerrymandering
LDF highlights prison-based gerrymandering as key voting rights issue in new interactive map.
Nov 8, 2010
- Gerrymandering: the movie
Gerrymandering, the movie, is coming out in theaters. A whole segment is devoted to PPI’s findings about prison-based gerrymandering.
Oct 14, 2010
- Civil rights groups cite harm of prison-based gerrymandering
Three civil rights groups publish a guide to redistricting, focusing on issues facing minority communities.
Sep 29, 2010
- Equal representation coming to Hudson, NY
The end of prison-based gerrymandering in New York will finally mean equal representation for the residents Hudson, NY.
Aug 13, 2010
- Benefits to New York State’s upstate (and downstate) residents
Two recent letters to the editor break down the false dichotomy of downstate versus upstate.
Aug 12, 2010
- New York: beyond prison-based gerrymandering
Ending prison-based gerrymandering means a return to the concept that representatives should represent those actually part of their communities: New York Ends Prison....
Aug 9, 2010
- Senator Griffo ignores prison-based gerrymandering problems at home
Brenda Wright, of Demos writes that Sen. Griffo ignores prison-based gerrymandering problems in his own backyard while criticizing state-wide reform.
Aug 9, 2010
- NYCLU and Common Cause/NY applaud New York ending prison-based gerrymandering
The NYCLU and Common Clause/NY both applaud passage of the bill that will finally end of prison-based gerrymandering in New York.
Aug 6, 2010
- Articles on New York ending prison-based gerrymandering
The New York bill that ends prison-based gerrymandering in the state has been getting a lot of press coverage. Here are our top picks: Wall Street Journal: Under New....
Aug 6, 2010
- More press releases for New York victory
The New York State Senate Majority, NAACP Legal Defense Fund, and New York University's Brennan Center for Justice all posted their press releases celebrating the passage....
Aug 4, 2010
- Coalition Praises Lawmakers for Ending Prison Gerrymandering
New York's Coalition to End Prison-Based Gerrymandering praises lawmakers for ending prison-based gerrymandering in New York.
Aug 4, 2010
- Context: New York prison-based gerrymandering bill
Eric Lotke article gives context about the history of prison-based gerrymandering and explanation for what bill passage will mean for the state.
Aug 4, 2010
- Lasting effects of prison-based gerrymandering in Maryland
WYPR reports on how the people incarcerated at the Eastern Correctional Institute in Maryland's Somerset County are used to skew the democratic process.
Jul 22, 2010
- Back and forth in the Buffalo News
The Buffalo News recently published a brief mention of prison-based gerrymandering, and in response I wrote a letter to the editor explaining that the current efforts to....
Jul 19, 2010
- New York bill benefits upstate residents as well
The Buffalo News publishes letter to the editor that corrects misunderstanding about funding and benefits of the bill to upstate residents.
Jul 6, 2010
- Newsweek covers prison-based gerrymandering
Newsweek uses our research to highlight prison-based gerrymandering in New York.
Jul 1, 2010
- Prison-based gerrymandering report highlighted by ACS blog
LDF issues new report on prison-based gerrymandering.
Jun 10, 2010
- Op-ed about prison-based gerrymandering in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania-focused op-ed argues that voting power should be based on actual residents, not prison populations.
Jun 10, 2010
- Detention centers don’t bring funding to towns
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution published my letter to the editor correcting a recent AP story that claimed towns stood to gain funding by having detention centers....
Jun 4, 2010
- Maryland: common misunderstandings
Letters to the editor confront common misunderstandings and explain that Maryland's bill has no impact on federal funding while improving democracy for all.
Apr 21, 2010
- Census Bureau’s prison count won’t mean funding windfall
Census count of prison populations distorts redistricting, but has little impact on the distribution of federal funding. Democracy suffers while some falsely claim funding impact.
Apr 2, 2010
- Person’s home does not change with incarceration
1st Circuit US Court of Appeals confirms that incarceration does not change a person’s residence, more substantive contacts with a new location are necessary to change domicile.
Mar 26, 2010
- Census Bureau counts Minnesota’s incarcerated population in the wrong place; access to democracy distorted
New report identifies harm of prison-based gerrymandering in Minnesota.
Mar 9, 2010
- Census empowers, does not dictate data use
Recent media coverage reveals a misconception about basic principles of our electoral system. The Census Bureau does not have a “new policy” regarding populations used in redistricting.
Mar 8, 2010
- If tax-paying part-time residents shouldn’t be counted outside their home districts, neither should incarcerated people
Editorial: if part-time residents can’t be counted at their second homes, consistency requires incarcerated people to be counted at home, not at the prison.
Feb 19, 2010
- Mary Sanchez highlights prison-based gerrymandering in Kansas
In “Counting prisoners is an issue for us all,” Mary Sanchez, of the Kansas City Star, writes that elected officials wind up with constituents to whom they don’t....
Feb 18, 2010
- What the census will get wrong
The U.S. Census is once again gearing up to count incarcerated people in the wrong place. This census data is soon going to be used to redraw districts at all levels of....
Nov 6, 2009
- Pennsylvania’s growing prison population distorts democracy
In Pennsylvania, there are eight state house districts that owe their existence to large prison populations in the 2000 Census. With the 2010 Census poised to count an....
Oct 16, 2009