Thursday, February 23, 2012
6:29 PM
UW redistricting expert cross examined
Kenneth Mayer, the UW redistricting expert, acknowledged under cross examination by a defense lawyer that there is not agreement on what should be the priority in creating a redistricting map other than adherence to the Voting Rights Act has to be close to the top.
Other issues -- like trying to keep a community in one district or the movement in and out of a district -- is more difficult to prioritize.
Dan Kelly, a lawyer for the defense, noted that often there are adjacent districts that are underpopulated and the effect of fixing one has a cascading impact on others. He noted that Mayer did not do a statewide redistricting map showing the least number of people to be moved.
"I am quite confident that I could have done it without moving as many people in and out," Mayer said.
Kelly countered: "But you haven't done it, have you? And you don't know what other redistricting principles would have to be sacrificed."
Mayer agreed that was correct.
Judge J.P. Stadtmueller said the trial would continue at 8:30 a.m. Friday and go as late as necessary to complete.
-- By Marie Rohde
Labels: Redistricting trial
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