Judge Rules G.O.P. Illegally Redrew Florida Districts

[grahamhgreen]

http://mobile.nytimes.com/2014/07/11/us/judge-rules-gop-illegally-redrew-florida-districts.html

TAMPA, Fla. — In a sharply worded decision, a Florida judge ruled late Thursday that Republicans illegally redrew the state’s congressional districts, saying they “made a mockery” of an amendment meant to inject fairness into a process that has long been politically tainted.

Judge Terry P. Lewis of Florida’s Second Judicial Circuit ordered that two districts be redrawn — one, the 10th District, now held by Representative Daniel Webster, a Republican, and the other, the Fifth District, held by Representative Corrine Brown, a Democrat. In redrawing them, neighboring districts are also likely to be affected.

The state is expected to appeal. The ruling, issued less than two months before Florida’s primary, is unlikely to affect this year’s elections. But if it stands it could have broad implications for the 2016 elections.

[Skidmore]

1. Just heard this on MSNBC.

[RadicalGeek]

2. Heard About this on NetRoots Radio

Could be a useful precedent if it holds up.

[dsc]

4. only in states that mandate that districts not be gerrymandered for party

Florida passed a referendum that mandated that an independent commission draw districts without regard to partisan advantage and thus drawing districts this way broke the law. There is no such federal law and the SCOTUS has seen fit to rule that partisan gerrymandering is OK.

[grahamhgreen]

5. Well, it's a good thing since Florida gets lots of EC votes and has been such a problem in the past!

[Gormy Cuss]

3. Hats off to the League of Women Voters for bringing suit. n/t

[Cha]

6. Yes!