Supreme Court lets stand partisan gerrymanders stand in blow to (mostly) Democrats
In an opinion authored by Chief Justice John Roberts, the Court stated, “Partisan gerrymandering claims present political questions beyond the reach of the federal courts,” adding, “We have no commission to allocate political power and influence in the absence of a constitutional directive or legal standards to guide us in the exercise of such authority.”
“I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats,” explained David Lewis, a Republican member of the General Assembly’s redistricting committee. “So I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.” Districts that overwhelmingly favor one party tend to push legislators away from compromise, because they are accountable only to primary challengers, who generally come from the extreme wings of their parties. The gerrymanders were so successful in some states that although Democratic candidates in total received a substantial majority of votes, Republicans came away with a majority of legislative seats, allowing them to pass bills without fear of electoral consequences.
Some thought Roberts, a George W. Bush appointee, might be persuaded to side with the liberals on this issue, but the chief justice maintained his record of voting with the conservative wing of the court, as he did in cases restricting the scope of the Voting Rights Act in 2013 and overturning campaign contribution limits in 2010 .
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