GOP Scores Win as Kentucky Supreme Court Dismisses Case Against New Congressional Maps

The Kentucky Supreme Court on Dec. 14 ruled against Democrats challenging new congressional maps approved by the GOP-controlled legislature, handing a win to Republicans. Democrats had argued that the redrawn districts violated Kentucky’s Constitution in several regards, including splitting counties. They also said the maps were the result of partisan gerrymanders, in violation of the Constitution. Partisan considerations do influence redistricting but that does not mean the new maps are unconstitutional, Kentucky’s highest court said. “Legislative apportionment is an inherently political process assigned to the General Assembly. An expectation that apportionment will be free of partisan considerations would thus not only be unrealistic, but also inconsistent with our Constitution’s assignment of responsibility for that process to an elected political body,” Justice Angela McCormick Bisig wrote for the majority....