Arizona to use 2002 districts despite unconstitutionality

Friday, 28 May 2004

[An Arizona ] state appellate court on Friday ordered that legislative districts first used in 2002 be used again this year though a trial judge ruled them unconstitutional.

The trial judge had ruled that new legislative districts be used instead this year, but the Court of Appeals said Friday it was too late in the election process to make a switch or to leave uncertainty about which map will be used.

Also, while the U.S. Justice Department is reviewing the new map for compliance with federal minority voting rights protections, only the 2002 map has already received that certification so far, said the Court of Appeals. It said further delays in deciding what map will be used risks disrupting the election process and disenfranchising voters.

While Hispanic Democrats had said they may take the case to the Arizona Supreme Court, the stay issued by a three-judge Court of Appeals panel increases the likelihood that the districts used in 2002 will be used again. -- Court orders use of 2002 legislative districts (AP via AZcentral.com)