U.S. Supreme Court Sets December 8 to Hear Two Redistricting Cases

The U.S. Supreme Court will hold oral arguments on December 8, Tuesday, in two redistricting cases. One is Harris v Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission, 14-232. Arizona Republicans filed this lawsuit to overturn the 2011 state legislative redistricting plan. The party argues that the plan violates one-person, one-vote by creating districts with two many voters in Republican areas, and two few voters in Democratic areas. The party also argues that the Commission handled ethnic minorities improperly. The lower court had upheld the plan.

The other case being heard on December 8 is Evenwel v Abbott, 14-940. Some Texas voters filed this case, arguing that legislative and U.S. House districts should have equal numbers of eligible voters, not equal populations. Texas, like almost all states, uses population. Thanks to Rick Hasen for the news about Evenwel.

New Jersey State Trial Court Will Hear Republican Party’s Lawsuit for Late Substitution on October 14

A New Jersey state trial court will hold oral arguments in October 14 in the Republican Party’s lawsuit, arguing that the party should be allowed to substitute a new nominee for Assembly, 38th district. The election is November 3, 2015. See this story. In the meantime the court told election officials not to print any more ballots.

Kentucky Republican Party Still Hasn’t Canceled its Presidential Primary

Earlier this year the Kentucky Republican Party decided to choose delegates to the national convention by caucus, in March, instead of using the May presidential primary. State law gives a party until December 31, 2015, to tell the state that it doesn’t want a presidential primary.

The Kentucky Republican Party still hasn’t filed this notice with state elections officials. It is conceivable that the party wants to wait until the last minute to make the decision final, just in case Senator Rand Paul pulls out of the Republican presidential race. This Politico story says that some Republicans in Kentucky wish he would do that.