By Howard Fischer
Capitol Media Services/East Valley Tribune
A federal court is going to give Republicans a chance to argue that the state’s 30 legislative districts should be redrawn for the 2014 election.
A special three-judge panel rejected arguments by attorneys for the Independent Redistricting Commission that there is no legal basis for the lawsuit challenging the lines. U.S. District Court Judge Roslyn Silver, writing for the court, said the challengers are entitled to try to prove that the commission purposely crafted the districts with an eye on improving Democratic opportunities.
But Silver cautioned that even if foes prove partisanship, it remains legally unclear whether that, by itself, is enough to invalidate the lines. She said that issue will have to be hashed out by the attorneys after a full-blown hearing.
The ruling could eventually undo the significant gains the Democrats made this election at the Capitol, picking up four seats in both the House and the Senate. If the judges order the lines redrawn — or perhaps even does it themselves — it could put Republicans into a better position two years from now.
