Judicial panel rules that Maine's congressional districts must be redrawn
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June 15, 2011
PORTLAND, Maine: A panel of three federal judges has ruled that Maine must redraw its congressional districts prior to the 2012 elections.[1] The panel, made up of Bruce Marshall Selya, George Singal, and D. Brock Hornby, instructed Maine to reshape its two congressional districts to reflect the most current census data.
William Desena and Sandra Dunham, both of Cape Elizabeth, brought the federal lawsuit against the state. They argued that according to the latest census, Maine's 1st District has a population of 668,515 residents while the 2nd District has 659,848 residents. The law requires that congressional districts be comprised of areas equal in population.[2]
Redistricting will now have to take place by January 1, 2012, to coincide with the date that petitions become available for congressional candidates. This moves the anticipated deadline for redistricting up by one year.[3]
The ruling stipulates that state parties, along with the secretary of state's office, have until June 20 to propose a redistricting proposal. Redistricting has historically been achieved by a bipartisan commission whose plan requires approval by a supermajority of the state legislature.
While they were defendants in the case, Governor Paul LePage and Secretary of State Charles Summers have stated that they agree with the plaintiffs.[4]
Footnotes
- ↑ Kennebec Journal, "Maine's congressional districts must be redrawn," June 9, 2011 (dead link)
- ↑ Maine Public Broadcasting Network, "Judges order Maine to redraw congressional districts," June 9, 2011
- ↑ Roll Call, "Maine redistricting on tap this year after court ruling," June 10, 2011
- ↑ Mainebiz, "Judges order expedited redistricting," June 10, 2011
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