Redistricting Debates in the Community and the Unicameral
Omaha residents waited for their turn to speak at the Scott Conference Center last week (September 16) regarding the possibility of dividing among other districts, Nebraska’s 2nd congressional district, which is known nationally as it’s democratic nickname, “Nebraska’s blue dot.” Photo credit: Alex C. Carter
By Molly Ashford
Hundreds of Nebraskans came out to public hearings on proposed redistricting plans last week, with most of the conversation centered around State Senator Lou Ann Linehan’s congressional map—known as Legislative Bill 1— in which Douglas County is halved along West Dodge Road and Interstate 80. In Omaha, those who spoke were almost entirely in opposition to LB 1. Rough estimates from senators indicate that at least 56 people testified in opposition to LB 1, while around nine spoke in support. Community leaders and elected officials showed up to voice their concerns.Longtime activist and 2020 Senate write-in candidate Preston Love Jr. testified that LB 1 disenfranchises Black voters.
“This redistricting process has the danger of rebirthing gerrymandering once again in Nebraska by attempting to restrict the vote of Blacks and people of color, whether intentional or unintentional.”
Alisha Shelton, a former senatorial and current congressional candidate for the second district, also spoke against LB 1. Shelton is a resident of Irvington, a fast-growing unincorporated community in North Central Omaha near Northwest High School. The community has seen a significant growth in minority populations over the past decades, and currently has a Black population of about 22.9% in the predominant zip code. “I heard you mention that communities of color were still represented in LB 1,” Shelton said, referring to an earlier comment from the committee. “Well, I’m not. And if you look at the communities of color that have grown in the past 10 years—specifically Irvington—they are completely removed and put into the first legislative district.”
It isn’t just Douglas County that wants to stay undivided —a few Sarpy County residents spoke about wanting their community to stay intact as well. Papillion resident Roberta Adams says she has more in common with people in other suburbs like Bellevue and Gretna than people in Omaha. “I don’t want our county to be split because we are a community of interest,” she said. “I share concerns with all of Sarpy County and want to keep the same congressional representation with the rest of my county, which would strengthen what I have to say to my representative.”
Despite significant pushback from Omaha citizens
on Thursday, in a meeting after the final hearing which lasted no longer than 10 minutes, LB 1 was voted out of committee in a 5-4 vote along party lines. It is atypical for these votes to happen immediately following a public hearing, but time constraints led to the tight turnaround.
On Friday, the debate took to the floor of the legislature.
One of hundreds of Nebraskans who showed up for the public hearing on redistricting filling out his submission for public comment last week (September 16th). Photo credit: Alex C. Carter
Democrats successfully filibustered the bill, delaying a vote on LB 1 and sending the congressional redistricting plan back to the committee for further revisions. Concerns about Sarpy and Douglas Counties were prevalent in the floor debate. Omaha-area senators questioned the motivations of Republicans who wish to split Douglas County, with Sen. Megan Hunt saying the map was designed to take away the “blue dot” of the second congressional district.
Sarpy County senators and others from rural districts questioned why splitting Douglas County is off-limits but other counties around the state are fair game. A few contemplated if it is possible to keep both Sarpy and Douglas Counties whole.
Ultimately, a motion to invoke cloture which would have ended debate and led to a vote on LB 1 failed 29-17, just four votes short of the ¾ majority required. The vote was mostly along party lines, with Republican Sen. John McCollister joining the Democrats in voting against cloture and Republican Sens. Rich Pahls and Mark Kolterman recorded as present and not voting.
Today’s debate (September 20th, 2021) in the legislature will center around the proposed legislative map, and discussion around the congressional maps should resume on Tuesday. It remains to be seen if Douglas County will split, but the successful filibuster is a hopeful sign for opponents of LB1.
