Judicial Watch filed a brief in the U. S. Supreme Court in response to Maryland’s attempt to retain its current gerrymandered voter districting plan. Judicial Watch is seeking a decision from the high court that would reverse a Maryland district court decision. The filing was the latest development in a lawsuit filed by Judicial Watch in 2015, arguing that the controversial redistricting plan is unconstitutional because it transferred “the power to select congressional representatives from Maryland’s voters to legislators” (Parrot et al., v. Lamone et al. (No 16-588).
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of voters across Maryland, including Maryland Delegates Neil C. Parrott, Matt Morgan and former Ambassador Ellen Sauerbrey (Parrott et al, v. Lamone, et al (No. 1:15-cv-01849)). In August 2016, the United States District Court for the District of Maryland ruled for the state in dismissing the plaintiffs’ claims. Judicial Watch filed an appeal with the Supreme Court in October 2016. The state filed its Motion to Affirm the District Court’s ruling in early December. And on December 20, Judicial Watch filed its Brief Opposing the Motion to Affirm.
Judicial Watch argues that there is a causal connection between “noncompact” districts and gerrymandering:
To obtain an electoral advantage, “mapmakers need to arrange both their own partisans and those of their electoral opponents in particular district configurations….” But “voters do not choose where to live so as to suit the purposes of legislators trying to draw gerrymandered districts….” This is why “legislators must distort district boundaries to create districts that contain the mix of voters that best achieves . . . partisan goals.”
In referring to Maryland’s “wildly deformed” congressional district plan, Judicial Watch further argues that Maryland’s gerrymandered district plan produces split counties, county fragments and split precincts.
The Maryland congressional redistricting plan was signed into law by then-Governor Martin O’Malley in October 2011.
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Again, Salisbury is a microcosm of this self-serving nonsense.
ReplyDeletekeep up the fight! MD and PA are the 2 worst in the country. Once done in MD please sue PA next.
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ReplyDeletePretty good bet the State really is the Atty General who can act independently of the governor. The governor appears to be staying away from this. He'll benefit from a redo, and by staying low he doesn't antagonize the Dems if it is upheld. Probably a good strategy.