The U.S. Supreme Court ordered on Monday further consideration of a challenge by Democrats and minority groups to a controversial Republican-backed congressional redistricting plan in Texas.
The justices in a brief order granted an appeal by those challenging the plan and set aside a ruling by a federal three-judge panel in January that upheld the bitterly contested map.
Little late aren't they? Would have been nice if they could have gotten this done before this year's elections. I guess they can decide the presidency, but when it comes to congressional races they don't want to get into partisan battles. Yeah, right.
6 comments:
I was wondering too how this would effect next months elections. Another article I found says this:
"The decision won't affect next month's elections, though any GOP gains on Nov. 2 could be wiped out later if the plan ultimately is deemed unconstitutional."
http://www.ksat.com/news/3828568/detail.html
Also, I had thought it was a dead issue after the three judge panel declared that the plan was consititutional, but NY Times says this.
"In that ruling, in April, the Supreme Court upheld the boundaries of Congressional districts against Democratic charges of unconstitutional gerrymandering. But in its 5-to-4 decision, the justices left open the possibility that someday a case of gerrymandering might arise that was so egregious that it violated the Constitution. "
http://www.nytimes.com/2004/10/18/politics/18CND-TEXA.html
Maybe Texas rises to that level of egregiousness? I'm not sure, especially considering the Penn. plan was upheld.
Sounds like a mess waiting to happen though, if it's held as unconstitutional. What do they do, re-hold elections under the old districts? I honestly don't know.
Hmm, that's pretty interesting.
I would keep an eye out in the next few days for more informed analysis and explanation.
I doubt they would make the elections invalid. It probably would just mean they'd have to throw out the map and draw a new one for the next elections.
Hey, this is irrelevant to the topic.
I just want to let you guys know that I really enjoyed your essays.
This country is still quite foreign to me, politically.
It is really nice to learn stuff from real people. Thanks.
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