About | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline Law Journal Library | HeinOnline
LOG IN
LOG IN

20 Geo. J.L. & Pub. Pol'y 533 (2022)
How Independent Is Too Independent?: Redistricting Commissions and the Growth of the Unaccountable Administrative State

handle is hein.journals/geojlap20 and id is 549 raw text is: How Independent is Too Independent?: Redistricting Commissions and the Growth of the Unaccountable Administrative State JASON TORCHINSKY* AND DENNIS W. POLIO** ABSTRACT Redistricting commissions are quickly proliferating across the country. These commissions are intended to alleviate concerns about how redis- tricting is conducted in an era of powerful computing technology, widely available data, and advanced mapping software. However, as with all things connected to public administration, the devil is in the details. The proliferation of redistricting commissions raises numerous questions: Are these commissions accountable institutions that increase public trust in the redistricting process? Or are they simply another symptom of an ever- expanding administrative state that removes key decision-making from public officials accountable to voters? Will responsive public officials make redistricting decisions? Or will such determinations fall to bureau- crats or politically connected consultants who are completely insulated from the public will? With the stakes of redistricting so high, and when entrusting that process to an unelected commission, it is essential that redistricting commissions are accountable to the public for their decisions. This Article summarizes the varieties of state redistricting commissions and provides a lens through which to evaluate their accountability to the public. Ultimately, this article concludes that, if redistricting commissions continue to proliferate, states must carefully study how to properly structure them to maxi- mize accountability. * Jason Torchinsky is a partner at Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky Josefiak PLLC, specializing in campaign finance, election law, lobbying disclosure and issue advocacy groups. He holds a B.A. in Government and Public Policy from the College of William and Mary and a J.D. from the College of William and Mary School of Law, where he also serves as an adjunct professor. This Article is written in his personal capacity and not on behalf of any client of his law firm. ** Dennis W. Polio is a senior associate with Holtzman Vogel Baran Torchinsky Josefiak PLLC, specializing in constitutional law, campaign finance and election law, appellate advocacy, and tax- exempt organizations. He graduated cum laude from Fairfield University with a B.A. in Politics, magna cum laude from Syracuse University College of Law with a J.D., and from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University with a Master of Public Administration degree. Dennis previously served as a law clerk to the Honorable Carmen E. Espinosa, Associate Justice of the Connecticut Supreme Court. This Article is written in his personal capacity and not on behalf of any client of his law firm. The Authors wish to thank Matthew Peterson and Andrew Pardue for their assistance; the Georgetown Journal of Law & Public Policy for the wonderful opportunity to publish this article; and the Authors' family, friends, and co-workers for their patience and support that enabled the Authors to complete this Article. © 2022, Jason Torchinsky & Dennis W. Polio. 533

What Is HeinOnline?

HeinOnline is a subscription-based resource containing thousands of academic and legal journals from inception; complete coverage of government documents such as U.S. Statutes at Large, U.S. Code, Federal Register, Code of Federal Regulations, U.S. Reports, and much more. Documents are image-based, fully searchable PDFs with the authority of print combined with the accessibility of a user-friendly and powerful database. For more information, request a quote or trial for your organization below.



Short-term subscription options include 24 hours, 48 hours, or 1 week to HeinOnline.

Purchase Access

Contact us for annual subscription options:

Contact Us

Already a HeinOnline Subscriber?

Log In

profiles profiles most