Congressional Redistricting May Go Past 2012

Efforts to redraw the lines in several states, which dictate the districts of House members, may move past the 2012 elections, depending on the outcome of lawsuits and how quickly redrawn maps can be approved by the courts or the Justice Department, according to Roll Call.

 

The newspaper cited Wednesday the redistricting maps in Texas and Florida as possibly the most problematic because six new House seats are at stake between the two states.

 

Texas lawmakers have completed their new redistricting map and are waiting for it to be cleared by the courts. But state officials are concerned lawsuits and controversies surrounding its most recent redistricting plans — including one orchestrated by former Republican House Majority Leader Tom Delay — could lead to judicial rejection.

 

In Florida, meanwhile, the redistricting process won’t even begin until next year, with officials there also worrying that lawsuits could also take a toll.

 

“The scenarios range from lawmakers having to file for re-election in their current district and then refile later in a redrawn one to, in the worst case, running in one district next year and then a redrawn one in 2014,” Roll Call reported.