The Kansas Supreme Court reversed a Wyandotte District Court decision that had ordered a rewrite. This lifts an injunction to allow the Ad Astra 2 congressional map to become law.
The short majority decision written by Sam Brownback appointee Justice Caleb Stegall simply stated plaintiffs didn’t prove the map violated the state constitution:
STEGALL, J.: A majority of the court holds that, on the record before us, plaintiffs
have not prevailed on their claims that Substitute for Senate Bill 355 violates the Kansas
Constitution. Therefore, the judgment of the district court is reversed and the permanent
injunction ordered by the district court is lifted.
A full opinion describing the facts, rationale, and holdings of the court is
forthcoming, along with all dissenting or concurring opinions of members of the court.
Kansas Fair Maps issued a scathing statement that harkens back to Kanye West nearly 20 years ago. The Kansas Supreme Court doesn’t care about black (or brown) people.
It’s probably fair to say everyone is surprised the court overruled the lower court decision. The Kansas GOP leadership had already scheduled the legislature to return May 23rd to readdress map issues.
Current CD-3 Representative Democrat Sharice Davids is now in a toss up race. She had won her two previous races by 10 points. The most diverse section of Wyandotte County is moved to safe GOP held CD-2. Liberal Lawrence and KU are moved into the deep red sea of CD-1.
The Kansas Supreme Court also heard arguments Monday on the validity of state legislative maps. A separate decision was released that unanimously upheld those as well. The same generic statement was written and no details are available.
“STEGALL, J.: Because the Constitution requires this court to enter judgment within
30 days from the filing of the petition, today we announce our decision unanimously
upholding the validity, under article 10, section 1 of the Kansas Constitution, of the state
senatorial and representative districts contained in Substitute for Senate Bill No. 563.
A full opinion describing the facts, rationale, and holdings of the court is
forthcoming.”
Maybe NY should reconsider it’s ruling on allowing gerrymandered maps in light of decisions like this. Other states are clearly allowed to not play by any rules.