Norelli v. Scanlan

On March 31, 2022, New Hampshire voters supported by the National Redistricting Foundation (NRF) filed a case in state court asking the court to step in to draw updated new congressional districts for the state based on population changes. An impasse between Republican Governor Chris Sununu and the Republican-controlled state legislature has dragged out the state’s redistricting process, and the political branches became incapable of reaching a consensus on a new congressional district plan.

The NRF-supported plaintiffs’ impasse lawsuit alleged that the current map violates both the New Hampshire constitution and the federal constitution, and asked the court to produce a new map for the 2022 elections based on 2020 Census data. On April 11, the New Hampshire Supreme Court indicated that it would take over the case if a redistricting plan had not been enacted by June 10. The court-appointed Special Master submitted a report recommending a fair map that reflects the state’s competitive nature on May 27, and the Court adopted his redistricting plan following oral arguments on May 31, ensuring that New Hampshire voters were able to exercise their vote in fair congressional districts.

• Complaint for Declaratory and Injunctive Relief (March 31, 2022)
• Supreme Court Order Assuming Jurisdiction (April 11, 2022)
• Plaintiff’s Memo in Support of Proposed Congressional Redistricting Plan (May 16, 2022)
• Order Adopting Special Master’s Plan (May 31, 2022)