Tuesday, February 21, 2012
9:24 AM
Judge offers both sides chance to fix key issues with redistricting maps
Judge J.P Stadtmueller told all parties that they need to get together and determine whether the Legislature can come up with plan that will address the two key issues in the redistricting suit -- the disenfranchisement of minority voters and the 300,000 residents who will go six years between voting for a state senator.
If the lawyers think the issues can be resolved, the Legislature would have four weeks to come up with a new map.
Quoting his mentor, the late federal Judge John Reynolds, Stadtmueller said, "It's never too late to engage in meaningful dialogue between lawyer and client ... on redistricting."
He said the state leadership -- including the governor, the attorney general and others -- need to decide by 5:30 p.m. if they can reach a deal to go back and try to work things out. If the Legislature gives it a try, lawmakers would have four weeks to finalize a new map. The trial would then resume March 12 or 19, he said.
-- By Marie Rohde
Labels: Redistricting trial
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