Voter group sues over Democratic-drawn districts for lawmakers

[The Northerner]

The League of Women Voters of Illinois filed a federal lawsuit today alleging Democratic-drawn boundaries for the state legislature and congressional districts violate the U.S. Constitution and asked the court to order an impartial process to redraw the lines.

"he General Assembly and governor have unlawfully selected residents to speak, debate, assemble and vote in these districts based upon their political viewpoints and opinions, without safeguards against the misuse of such criteria to regulate or abridge First Amendment rights for partisan ends,"said the lawsuit, filed in federal court inChicago.

In essence, the group contends legislative districts are "public forums" and Democrats, by using partisan voting information to develop the new lines, created "abridgment or limitation of expressive activity protected by the First Amendment."

The lawsuit is the second challenging the new boundaries that resulted from the 2010 federal Census. Republicans also have filed suit contesting the constitutionality of the map lines at the state and congressional level. The GOP had no input in the map-making process since Democrats control the legislature and the governor's office.

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/politics/clout/chi-voter-group-sues-over-democraticdrawn-districts-for-lawmakers-20110816,0,7401675.story

[Firebrand Gary]

1. I think its time we file suit in.

In every state that the GOP controls.

[librechik]

2. absolutely. Stick it to them, since they are not holding back in their states.

[KansDem]

3. Let's see: Democratic gerrymandering = "evil", GOP gerrymandering = "mom & apple pie"

The GOP had no input in the map-making process since Democrats control the legislature and the governor's office.

So what states has this been, "The Democrats had no input in the map-making process since the Repubs control the legislature and the governor's office?"

Let's see: GOP gerrymandering

[madrchsod]

4. the problem in illinois is chicago and it`s suburbs.

the rest of the state is not that bad for either side.

[saras]

5. My best hope is that it makes it all the way to the Supreme Court...

and they rule that partisan district management is, across the board, unconstitutional.

They may want this for bad reasons, and not when it applies to them, but it's a good argument nevertheless.

But they have to understand that "nonpartisan" doesn't mean "representatives of both parties, with others excluded", it means not favoring people in a party over people not in that party, whether or not they are in a specific other party.

[MagickMuffin]

6. Are the LOWV concerned about Texas Voters at ALL???

The same thing is happening here except it's the republicons doing the gerrymandering. So, WHERE is the LOWV???

[Angry Dragon]

7. Sue the LOWV for not sueing Texas