The nation’s high court will hear arguments in less than two months on the legality of the state’s 30 legislative districts, setting the stage for a ruling that could realign political lines for the 2016 election. Attorney Mark Hearne, representing Republicans challenging the current districts, said Monday the Dec. 8 hearing could portend a quick ruling by the Supreme Court. And he said if the justices side with him — and against the Independent Redistricting Commission — there is probably no excuse to keep the current lines in place for the next election. Mary O’Grady, who represents the commission, said she’s not sure the case can move that quickly. But if the case goes against the commission, it could send shock waves through the system, whether next year or in 2018.
Hearne contends the commission created districts that do not have equal population, which he said is a violation of constitutional “one man, one vote” requirements. If the court agrees, Hearne said it would mean the commission has to go back and try again, this time making the numbers come out even.
That, however, would be no small feat: Hearne said 2 million people — close to a third of the state’s population — would have to be moved to different districts to meet equal-population requirements.
Full Article: Arizona redistricting to get Supreme Court hearing.