Supreme Court Deals Setback to Political Reformers Trying to Stop Gerrymandering

Advocates were hoping that the high court would put an end to bizarrely shaped legislative districts, but the justices punted.

by Pete Williams

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected two claims that states violate the Constitution when they become blatantly partisan in drawing the boundary lines for voting districts, dashing the hopes of political reformers who were hoping for a landmark ruling that could change the future of American politics.

In two unanimous decisions, the justices ruled that Wisconsin challengers failed to show that they were directly harmed by a new map for state legislative districts, and the court rejected a challenge to the boundaries for a congressional district in Maryland, finding that opponents had waited too long to sue.

The Supreme Court has long held that oddly shaped districts are unconstitutional when they put racial minorities at a disadvantage through gerrymandering. But lower courts have recently held that partisan gerrymandering can be unconstitutional, too.

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Source:  NBC News