Common Sense

I thought they would wait until January to redraw the district(s) ruled unconstitutional by the Supreme Court this week. Instead a panel of federal judges has given both sides two weeks to offer up alternative maps.

U.S. District Judge T. John Ward said proposed changes to the map are due by July 14. Oral arguments were scheduled for Aug. 3 in Austin.

On Wednesday, The Supreme Court upheld most of the pro-Republican Texas congressional map but tossed the 23rd Congressional District, which stretches from San Antonio to Laredo and west almost to El Paso. It remanded its redrawing to a three-judge panel.

Gov. Perry has said he would hold off on calling another special session (we should just amend the constitution and have them meet more often. This is getting ridonkulous) until after the court’s decision. If he were to call a special session, and assuming things didn’t lead to a mass exodus of Democrats from the state (like last time, and the time before that), candidates would have just two months to campaign in their new districts. Mind-boggling.

Hat tip to Pink Lady.