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Congressman Dan Kildee Files Bipartisan Amicus Brief Urging Supreme Court to End Gerrymandering

September 6, 2017

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Historic Brief, Signed by Prominent Republicans and Democrats, Argues Gerrymandering Violates U.S. Constitution

Congressman Dan Kildee (MI-05) has filed an amicus curiae brief asking the U.S. Supreme Court to abolish partisan gerrymandering as the High Court is set to hear historic arguments on gerrymandering's threat to a functioning democracy.

The brief, signed by 35 other Members of Congress, proposes the Court put guidelines on drawing district lines. It has strong bipartisan support from Republicans and Democrats, with the amicus brief being signed by the chairman of the Freedom Caucus as well as the former chairman of the Progressive Caucus.

"Voters should choose their elected officials, not the other way around," Congressman Kildee said. "Partisan gerrymandering is dangerous to our democracy. Right now, there is a crisis of confidence in government. Voters rightfully feel discouraged and disenfranchised because gerrymandering has distorted our politics. The Supreme Court should give power back to the voters and end partisan gerrymandering. This is not a partisan issue; I am proud to join with Republicans and Democrats from across the country in support of this effort."

In October, the Supreme Court will hear oral arguments in Gill v. Whitford, after the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Wisconsin struck down the state's redistricting map as unconstitutional. The brief, signed by Congressman Kildee and submitted to the High Court, argues that extreme partisan gerrymandering undermines the ability of the U.S. House of Representatives to do its job and is a threat to a functioning democracy.

"What our political system needs now — what the problem of extreme partisan gerrymandering needs now — are basic boundaries, so that our parties may begin to correct course and mend the broken parts of our political process. This Court should give the Nation that chance," the brief reads.

To read the full brief, click here.


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