Judge Rejects Legal Challenge Over Newly Drawn Missouri House Districts
February 14, 2012
Missouri: A state trial judge rejected the legal challenge over the newly drawn Missouri House districts. The case will more than likely be appealed, especially as candidates prepare and begin their campaigns.[1]
A bipartisan group filed the state House redistricting lawsuit, arguing that the new map for the 163-district Missouri House violates the requirements of districts that have similar populations be adjacent, as well as condensed. The suit also claims that the six appellate judges responsible for drawing the map violated the state of Missouri's open meetings law by not posting meeting dates and times, in addition to having three private discussions.[1]
Cole County Circuit Judge Pat Joyce rejected all these claims in her ruling on February 14, 2012. Judge Joyce ruled that the redistricting panel need not follow open meeting requirements because the panel was a judicial entity, not an administrative entity. She also ruled that the new districts are contiguous and that the plaintiffs have failed to prove that requirements for both the district's populations or compactness have been violated.[2]
Bob Johnson, a former Republican state lawmaker, is among those that are challenging the state House districts. While the ruling was a disappointment, Johnson said he was pleased that Judge Joyce moved so quickly in order to reach a decision.[2]
Time is running short in order to resolve the redistricting process, as Missouri political candidates can start filing on February 28, 2012 for this year's elections. A state Senate committee has considered pushing back the start date of candidate filing.[2]
In addition to the challenge over the state House map, there have been other lawsuits filed, which challenge the new state Senate and U.S. House Districts.[2]
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