Got this off my e-mail, so if you wanna attend and join the fray...
Read about today’s ruling by the Colorado Supreme Court that the Republican redistricting plan is unconstitutional here:
http://www.rockymountainnews.com/drmn/state/article/0,1299,DRMN_21_2469253,00.html Read the full opinion here:
http://www.courts.state.co.us/supct/opinions/2003/03SA13303SA147.doc --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Join other Colorado Democrats to celebrate today’s redistricting decision by the state Supreme Court!
Monday, December 01, 2003
5:00 – 7:00 p.m.
Denver Press Club
1330 Glenarm Place
Denver, CO
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Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Monday, December 1, 2003
Contact:
Julie DeWoody
303-623-4762 w
303-746-7883 c
DEMOCRATS CELEBRATE REDISTRICTING DECISION, LOOK FORWARD TO ‘04
Denver, CO—Colorado Democrats lauded the Supreme Court’s decision today that the Republican redistricting map forced through the legislature last May is unconstitutional.
“This isn’t just a victory for Democrats,” said Colorado Democratic Party Chair Chris Gates. “It’s a victory for all of us in Colorado who value fair elections, open government, and balance of power.”
The Colorado Supreme Court ruled that the state constitution allows for Congressional redistricting only once in a decade. A redistricting plan had already been approved and used for the 2002 elections.
The Republican plan, if allowed by the courts, would have disenfranchised thousands of voters by gerrymandering Colorado’s seven Congressional districts into five safe seats for Republicans and two safe seats for Democrats.
“Coloradans want to have a choice between political candidates,” Gates said. “To predetermine their representatives in Congress for years down the road is not only contrary to their wishes, it’s contrary to our values as a representative democracy.”
“The Court has sent Republican legislative leadership a strong message that they can’t just pay attention to the Constitution when it’s convenient for them. They have to pay attention to it every day,” Gates said.
“Today’s decision means Colorado will be one of the most competitive states in the country come next November,” Gates continued. “We have a highly competitive race in the open 3rd District, we intend to send Bob Beauprez home from Washington in the 7th, and Ben Nighthorse Campbell is one of the most vulnerable Senators in the nation.”
An announcement will be made later in the week as to the status of the second redistricting lawsuit, which is still pending in federal court. Today’s ruling was in the suit filed directly to the Colorado Supreme Court by Attorney General Ken Salazar.
“We are studying today’s decision with our attorneys,” said Gates, “and we will make an announcement about the status of our case later in the week.”
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Julie DeWoody
Deputy Executive Director
Colorado Democratic Party
303-623-4762