Colorado Republicans ask federal court to take up redistricting challenges
Thursday, December 4, 2003
Republican lawmakers asked a three-judge federal panel Thursday to overturn a Colorado Supreme Court ruling that struck down a GOP-drawn congressional map.
Attorneys for the Republicans said the court erred Monday when it ruled that the GOP map should be thrown out and one drawn earlier by a state judge reinstated.
"The court gave themselves legislative power," said GOP House Speaker Lola Spradley.
If the ruling is upheld, the judge's map will stand for the rest of the decade.
The map bolsters the chances of Democrats in two of Colorado 's seven congressional districts -- and could strengthen the party's attempts to pick up 12 seats nationally and regain control of the House.
Attorneys for Democrats want the federal judges to ignore the GOP appeal.
"There should not be a collateral attack on the state court's decision in the federal courts," said their attorney, David Fine.
At the heart of the dispute is who had the authority to draw the congressional districts.
The state Supreme Court said the state judge had that right because lawmakers failed to do so in time for the November 2002 elections. The GOP says the state Supreme Court ignored federal requirements giving redistricting power only to legislators.
The three-judge federal panel could dismiss the case, or it could order a hearing and a trial. Appeals to the U.S. Supreme Court are possible.
©2003 Associated Press
