{"id":2508374,"date":"2025-11-08T18:12:02","date_gmt":"2025-11-08T23:12:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/voting-rights-group-warns-ca-redistricting-push-could-undermine-trust-in-il\/"},"modified":"2025-11-08T18:14:41","modified_gmt":"2025-11-08T23:14:41","slug":"voting-rights-group-warns-ca-redistricting-push-could-undermine-trust-in-il","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/voting-rights-group-warns-ca-redistricting-push-could-undermine-trust-in-il\/","title":{"rendered":"Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL"},"content":{"rendered":"<aside class=\"mashsb-container mashsb-main mashsb-stretched\"><div class=\"mashsb-box\"><div class=\"mashsb-count mash-medium\" style=\"float:left\"><div class=\"counts mashsbcount\">24<\/div><span class=\"mashsb-sharetext\">SHARES<\/span><\/div><div class=\"mashsb-buttons\"><a class=\"mashicon-facebook mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.conservativenewsdaily.net%2Fbreaking-news%2Fvoting-rights-group-warns-ca-redistricting-push-could-undermine-trust-in-il%2F\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Facebook<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-twitter mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=&amp;url=https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/?p=2508374&amp;via=ConservNewsDly\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Twitter<\/span><\/a><a class=\"mashicon-subscribe mash-medium mash-nomargin mashsb-noshadow\" href=\"#\" target=\"_top\" rel=\"nofollow\"><span class=\"icon\"><\/span><span class=\"text\">Subscribe<\/span><\/a><div class=\"onoffswitch2 mash-medium mashsb-noshadow\" style=\"display:none\"><\/div><\/div>\n            <\/div>\n                <div style=\"clear:both\"><\/div><\/aside>\n            <!-- Share buttons by mashshare.net - Version: 4.0.47--><p>California Governor Gavin Newsom is encouraging states like Illinois to redraw congressional district maps ahead of the 2026 elections, following his Proposition 50 win.However, the Chicago-based voting rights group CHANGE Illinois, led by Ryan Tolley, warns that such external pressure could harm transparency and public trust in redistricting. Illinois&#8217;s current 2021 maps are already considered highly partisan and redrawing them outside the typical post-census schedule is unusual.Tolley cautions that re-mapping could dilute Black voting power by splitting communities and stresses that any changes might be politically motivated rather than aimed at fair portrayal. He suggests reforms such as a state Voting Rights Act or an independent commission to restore confidence.Meanwhile,ongoing debates around the Voting Rights Act,highlighted by Texas&#8217;s recent actions and a pending Supreme Court case on Section 2,add complexity to the issue. Illinois faces logistical and legal challenges if it attempts to redraw maps before the next standard cycle.  <\/p>\n<p class=\"readmore\">\n    <button onclick=\"showReadMore()\" id=\"readmorebtn\">Read more&#8230;<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<hr id=\"line\">\n<span id=\"more\"><\/p>\n<p><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><?xml encoding=\"utf-8\" ?><\/p>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-header-search-button-mob dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><span class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-button\"><i class=\"tdb-mobile-menu-icon td-icon-mobile\"><\/i><\/span><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search\" aria-labelledby=\"td-header-search-button\">\n<div class=\"tdb-drop-down-search-inner\">\n<form method=\"get\" class=\"tdb-search-form\" action=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/\"><\/form>\n<div class=\"tdb-aj-search\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/#\" role=\"button\" aria-label=\"Search\" class=\"tdb-head-search-btn dropdown-toggle\" data-toggle=\"dropdown\"><i class=\"tdb-search-icon td-icon-search\"><\/i><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<h1 class=\"tdb-title-text\">Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push could undermine trust in IL<\/h1>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-title-line\"><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\">\n<div id=\"Brid_2395678\" class=\"tpd-featured-video bridtv\"><\/div>\n<p>(The Center Square) &ndash; <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/california\/\">California<\/a> Gov. <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/gavin-newsom\/\">Gavin Newsom<\/a> is urging states like <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/illinois\/\">Illinois<\/a> to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/democrats-seek-redistricting-changes-in-key-states-to-regain-house-majority\/\" title=\"Democrats aim to alter ... in crucial ...s for House majority recovery.\">redraw congressional maps<\/a>, but voting rights group CHANGE Illinois warns that such pressure risks undermining transparency and public trust in the <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/redistricting\/\">redistricting<\/a> process.<\/p>\n<p>In his Proposition 50 victory speech, Newsom criticized President <a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/tag\/donald-trump\/\">Donald Trump<\/a> and urged states to &ldquo;meet the moment.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<div class=\"recommended-stories\">\n<h2>Recommended Stories<\/h2>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3880329\/chicago-downtown-office-space-vacancy-rate-jumps-record-high\/\">Chicago downtown office space vacancy rate jumps to record high levels<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3880322\/arizona-court-hear-arguments-right-jury-trial\/\">Arizona court to hear arguments about right to a jury trial<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/news\/3880313\/california-works-food-residents-snap-battle\/\">California works to get food to residents during SNAP battle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"article-paywall\">\n<p>&ldquo;We need our friends in New York, Illinois, and Colorado,&rdquo; said Newsom. &ldquo;We need to see other states, the remarkable leaders that have been doing remarkable things, meet this moment head on and recognize what we&rsquo;re up against in 2026.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Illinois ethics advocates quickly raised concerns that outside pressure could undermine public trust. Ryan Tolley, executive director of Chicago-based voting rights group CHANGE Illinois, said the state&rsquo;s 2021 congressional maps are already &ldquo;highly partisan gerrymandered.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For Illinois, the challenge is that our maps are already heavily drawn to favor one party,&rdquo; Tolley said. &ldquo;Any attempt to redraw them would likely come at the expense of Black voting power and diminish representation for Black communities, since creating a new district would probably split voters further in Cook County and Chicago.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Tolley also noted that <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/obama-speaks-out-on-supreme-court-ruling-striking-blow-to-republicans\/\" title=\"Obama criticizes ... ruling against Republicans.\">redrawing congressional maps<\/a> outside of the normal post-census cycle is highly unusual.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;Maps typically aren&rsquo;t redrawn unless there&rsquo;s a lawsuit or federal requirements, such as compliance with the Voting Rights Act,&rdquo; he said.<\/p>\n<p>Calls from outside leaders, including House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, may increase pressure on Illinois lawmakers, but Tolley said the state has so far resisted.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;For Illinois, if leaders keep threatening to gerrymander our maps in response to Indiana, officials there might decide it&rsquo;s not worth it because Illinois would just offset them,&rdquo; said Tolley. &ldquo;Some of that may just be political rhetoric meant to discourage Republican-led states from moving forward with their own remaps.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Tolley suggested restoring confidence through reforms like a state Voting Rights Act or an independent redistricting commission.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;There are a lot of ways Illinois leaders could turn a bad situation into an opportunity to rebuild public trust,&rdquo; Tolley said. &ldquo;They could pass real reforms to make redistricting less political or give voters tools to protect themselves from disenfranchisement, especially from racial gerrymandering.&rdquo;<\/p>\n<p>Texas&rsquo; latest redistricting push has renewed debate over the Voting Rights Act after the Department of Justice quietly dropped a related lawsuit in March 2025.<\/p>\n<p>The Department of Justice sued Texas in 2021, alleging its <a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/3YuVZYV\" >maps diluted minority voting power<\/a>, but the case ended before any ruling.<\/p>\n<p>While some framed their redistricting actions as a response to federal scrutiny, others pointed to openly partisan motives.<\/p>\n<p>&ldquo;President Trump very publicly said Texas officials should go find Republicans five more seats,&rdquo; Tolley noted, suggesting the process was more about political gain than compliance with voting protections.<\/p>\n<p><strong><a target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/premium\/3873257\/california-gop-redistricting-survivors-proposition-50\/\">THE LIKELY HOUSE GOP CALIFORNIA REDISTRICTING SURVIVORS<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Meanwhile, the U.S. Supreme Court is reviewing a Louisiana case that could weaken or strike down Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act, which bans racial discrimination in redistricting. With that law&rsquo;s future uncertain, states like New York and Colorado have passed their own versions to protect minority voters.<\/p>\n<p>Any effort to redraw congressional maps in Illinois would face significant logistical challenges, Tolley said, including possible adjustments to the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/rfk-jr-blasts-dnc-in-open-letter-says-party-has-essentially-merged-into-one-unit-with-biden-campaign\/\" title=\"RFK Jr. Blasts DNC In Open Letter, Says Party Has \u2018Essentially Merged Into One Unit\u2019 With Biden Campaign\">primary election schedule<\/a>. Lawmakers could theoretically act in a special session without a ballot referendum.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"tdb-block-inner td-fix-index\"><\/div>\n<p><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Voting rights group warns CA redistricting push may harm IL trust<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2869,"featured_media":2508375,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_mo_disable_npp":"","fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25309671096106.jpg?w=696","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[33651],"tags":[4045,6413,16985,32570],"class_list":["post-2508374","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-western-journal","tag-california","tag-illinois","tag-redistricting","tag-voting-rights"],"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/www.washingtonexaminer.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/11\/AP25309671096106.jpg?w=696","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508374","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2869"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2508374"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508374\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2508378,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2508374\/revisions\/2508378"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2508375"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2508374"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2508374"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.conservativenewsdaily.net\/breaking-news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2508374"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}