WRITING COMPETITION update:


COMMON CAUSE DEMOCRACY PRIZE – “GERRYMANDER STANDARD” WRITING COMPETITION [DEADLINE EXTENDED: MARCH 22, 2015]

WC_Gerrymandering_Blog

Common Cause is the original citizens’ lobby, founded in 1970 by John Gardner, and still battling for open, honest and accountable government in Washington, D.C. and in all 50 states.

They are pleased to announce the inaugural Common Cause “Gerrymander Standard” Writing Competition.  The Supreme Court has long suggested there is a limit for what is acceptable partisan gerrymandering, but like obscenity, so far the line is undefined and left to courts to know it when they see it. The Court has said that it is willing to hear constitutional challenges to partisan gerrymandering, but existing legal theories have been insufficient to empower citizens with the tools they need to overturn partisan gerrymanders in court.  This is your chance to change that.

Topic: Papers proposing a new definition of partisan gerrymandering or further developing an existing standard

Eligibility: Legal and social science practitioners, scholars, and students are invited to submit papers

Submission guidelines: Do not include any information identifying yourself in the paper. Include your name, phone number, and address only in the body of the cover email. Complete submission requirements available @ commoncause.org/issues/voting-and-elections/redistricting/march-22-content-submission.pdf

Send to: contest@commoncause.org

Awards: Winning papers will be selected by a distinguished panel of former State Supreme Court Justices, litigators, and election scholars. Prizes will be as follows:

  • 1st place – $5,000
  • 2nd place – $3,000
  • 3rd place – $2,000

The top entries will also be published in Election Law Journal, the leading academic publication in the elections field. Common Cause will cover expenses for winners to travel to Washington, DC in the fall of 2015 to present their papers.

Complete details: Available @ commoncause.org/issues/voting-and-elections/redistricting/gerrymander-standard-writing-competition.html

Contact: Please email contest@commoncause.org with any questions

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