Another Idaho redistricting suit
The The Idaho Statesman reports:
The state of Idaho had remarkably little to say about the latest lawsuit over the way legislative districts were drawn after the 2000 census.In so many words, the attorney generalīs office told the Idaho Supreme Court that everyone involved has heard it all before.
Each of the four points made in the suit by a coalition of commissioners in five Idaho counties, three current state lawmakers, three ex-lawmakers and a former gubernatorial candidate have been made already, Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Thorpe Orton wrote this week.
The plan -- called "L97" in redistricting circles -- "was the subject of 11 separate challenges," Orton wrote, "all of which were denied."
Orton also reminded the justices that there is little time to make changes: The counties have to establish precincts for the 2004 election by Jan. 15, and the last day for declaring candidacy is March 19.