Redistricting Arguments Aimed At Justice Kennedy

Both sides in Wisconsin’s redistricting case were hoping to get the attention of Justice Anthony Kennedy, as the U-S Supreme Court heard arguments this (Tuesday) morning. The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel says Kennedy has written in the past that gerrymandered districts can violate the Constitution — and he has asked litigants to come up with a test that proves illegalities. Democrats who challenged the G-O-P’s 2011 state Assembly and Senate districts say they’ve come up with a test showing that Democratic voters were jammed into fewer districts, thus preventing them from winning majorities and violating the rights of voters. The state argues that the districts are fair, they’re based on where people want to live, and a ruling in favor of Democrats would trigger lawsuits against maps across the country.