Posted on 04/01/2022 4:00:49 AM PDT by GonzoII
(UPI) — A New York judge on Thursday blocked the state’s new congressional map from taking effect, saying it represented an unconstitutional gerrymander that would benefit Democrats.
State Supreme Court Judge Patrick McAllister of Steuben County ordered New York lawmakers to draw a new map that would receive bipartisan support or the court will “retain a neutral expert at State expense to prepare said maps.”
Gov. Kathy Hochul, a Democrat, signed the Congressional map that would have given Democrats an advantage for 22 of the state’s 26 congressional seats in February.
In his ruling, McAllister said the Democratic-controlled legislature violated a 2014 constitutional amendment that gave primary control over map redistricting to a bipartisan commission, as the legislature took over the process when the commission failed to agree on a map.
(Excerpt) Read more at breitbart.com ...
One month ago that same judge said: “I believe the more prudent course would be to allow the current election process to proceed and then, if necessary, allow an election process next year if new maps need to be drawn.” Meaning: “Sorry Republicans, you’re screwed... at least for 2022.”
Good for him for suddenly growing a pair, though I suppose he could still easily be overruled on appeal — this IS New York, after all.
I suppose it’s also worthy of note that, in all the decades up to now where courts have stuck their noses into the redistricting process, Republicans were batting a perfect .000 until this week — Republican plans were routinely overturned by the courts, but never once did a Democrat plan suffer that fate.
Now we have 2 apparent wins in one week. Maryland Democrats replaced their hyper-partisan gerrymander with one that’s slightly different (while still appealing the ruling regarding their initial map) and may not cost them even one seat; now in New York — the worst gerrymander in the nation aside from maybe Illinois (which isn’t even being challenged) — where IF a reasonably fair map is ever implemented, and who knows when that will be, Republicans will get a few seats back.
Don’t be surprised, however, if the RINO/Democrat controlled Ohio state Supreme Court “retaliates” for New York by smacking down the Republican plan again, which would cost the Republicans approximately as many seats as they could conceivably gain back in New York. Texas and Florida aren’t done deals yet either, as far as Democrat lawsuits are concerned.
Gerrymander: Manipulate the boundaries of (an electoral constituency) so as to favor one party or class. Achieve (a result) by manipulating the boundaries of an electoral constituency.
(Wikipedia) The term gerrymandering is named after Elbridge Gerry, who, as Governor of Massachusetts in 1812, signed a bill that created a partisan district in the Boston area that was compared to the shape of a mythological salamander. The term has negative connotations and gerrymandering is almost always considered a corruption of the democratic process.
When you hear re-districting – think gerrymander. Just for grins look up the map for Congressional District 5 in several states. Try another District. The boundaries are telling. This is not a federal legal issue. It is up to each state to create district boundaries. This is where to get involved in attempting to have our voices heard. Local and state representation must be involved.
June 29, 2019 (Reuters) – “The U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that federal judges have no power to police partisan gerrymandering - the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries for political gain - likely will embolden politicians to pursue more extreme efforts free from the fear of judicial interference, experts said.”
McAllister said the Democratic-controlled legislature violated a 2014 constitutional amendment
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Shocking. /sarc
Good news/bad news. Good news in NY.
State Courts in NC and OH have struck down Republican district plans. NC Republicans have gone to the U.S. Supreme Ct. pointing out that the U.S. Constitution gives State Legislatures the right determine how U.S. House Representatives are selected. If the SCOTUS agrees and removes state court from the process, then NC & OH may swing back to Republican gerrymandering but what happens in NY?
Speaking of the NYS Supreme Court ...
https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/new-york-state-supreme-court-judge-john-michalski-found-dead
The state is a cesspool.
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