Re: Colorado justices say Republican redistricting is in violation of the constitution

On Mon, 01 Dec 2003 16:17:56 GMT, "Roger" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:

>Damn! I guess the Republicans will have to follow the rules on this one.

Don't be so sure. The republicans have a history of not letting the
law or pesky little documents like the constitution get in the way of
their agenda.



>
>
>"Harry Hope" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote in message
>news:[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>>
>> From The Associated Press, 12/1/03:
>> http://msnbc.com/news/999748.asp?0sl=-22&cp1=1
>>
>> Colo. justices overturn voter districts
>>
>> Redistricting case could influence 2004 national elections
>>
>> DENVER
>>
>> In a decision that could have national implications, the Colorado
>> Supreme Court threw out the state's new congressional districts Monday
>> because the GOP-led Legislature redrew the maps in violation of the
>> constitution.
>>
>> The General Assembly is required to redraw the maps only after each
>> census and before the ensuing general election -- not at any other
>> time, the court said in a closely watched decision.
>>
>> A similar court battle is being waged in Texas.
>>
>> Democrats argue the task was completed by a Denver judge in 2002 after
>> lawmakers failed to agree on new boundaries.
>>
>> UNDER THE ruling, Colorado's seven congressional districts revert to
>> boundaries drawn up by a Denver judge last year after lawmakers failed
>> to agree.
>>
>> The issue before the court was whether the redistricting map pushed
>> through the Legislature by Republicans this year was illegal.
>>
>> Colorado's constitution calls for redistricting only once a decade and
>> Democrats contended the task was completed by the judge.
>>
>> Republicans said the map drawn by the judge was temporary and the law
>> requires redistricting work to be done by the Legislature.
>>
>> The court rejected that argument, saying:
>>
>> "Because the General Assembly failed to redistrict during this
>> constitutional window, it relinquished its authority to redistrict
>> until after the 2010 census. There is no language empowering the
>> General Assembly to redistrict more frequently or at any other time."
>>
>> ____________________________________________________
>>
>> Another attempted right wing election theft is foiled. They're gonna
>> keep tryin' to steal 'em though, folks.
>>
>> Harry
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