The Cole County Circuit Court in Jefferson City has sided with the defendants in a case that challenges the newly drawn Congressional districts.

Judge Dan Green in his ruling states, “The court declines the plaintiff’s request to engage in a never-ending game of one-upsmanship in a constant search for the ultimate map.” The ruling also says the defendants’ reading of the phrase “as compact as may be” follows the Supreme Court’s instructin that ‘compactness’ is ‘mandatory,’ while allowing for the fact that perfection is unattainable.”

The plaintiff’s attorneys can appeal to the State Supreme Court — no word yet on whether they intend to do so.

Secretary of State Robin Carnahan says its important to get a final decision on the process since the filing deadline is Feb. 28.

If the court or the legislature decides to push back the deadline, we’ll push that back, but if they don’t, filing will begin on the 28th of February.

Carnahan calls the legal melee surrounding the maps — Congressional, State Senate and State House — “a mess” and says it’s unfortunate it’s come to this.

A lawsuit challenging Missouri’s newly drawn House districts is being challenged in Cole County Circuit Court today, but a hearing was curtailed last minute as Judge Pat Joyce told litigants she’d make a decision based on briefs filed in the case.

The suit is being filed on behalf of six republicans and six democrats throughout the state, former lawmaker Joan Bray of St. Louis among them.

Attorney Harvey Tettlebaum filed to intervene today on behalf of three current lawmakers, all republicans.

Tettlebaum says he represents Representatives Jay Barnes of Jefferson City, Stanley Cox of Sedalia, and Don Gosen of Chesterfield.

Judge Joyce says she’ll decide on the case by Feb. 14.

Meanwhile, in a separate case challenging the constitutionality of Missouri’s Congressional district boundaries is in the court’s hands.

Cole County Circuit Judge Dan Green has been ordered by the State Supreme Court to rule on that case by the end of today … we’re still waiting for that decision to to be handed down.

A series of arguments in two courts has ended in the disputes over Missouri’s Congressional districts. A decision will be handed down today.

Attorneys Greiman (left) and Layton listen while Greim presents closing arguements to Judge Dan Green in Cole County Circuit Court, Jefferson City.

Cole County Circuit Court heard final arguments for and against the newly drawn Congressional district boundaries. Both sides agree it comes down to semantics. The constitution requires the discricts be drawn “as compact as may be.” What “may be” requires is up to the interpretation of the courts.

Attorney Gerry Greiman says the current map is a clear case of gerrymandering. Defendant Eddie Greim says the constitution requires districts to be as compact as may be, not as compact as can be. And he says political interests are not disallowed. He points to the process by which legislators are elected by constituents to make these decisions for them, not the courts.

Circuit Court Judge Dan Green has been ordered by the State Supreme Court to hand down a ruling by today. He could say the current map is constitutionally legal, or order it back to the legislature for a second rendition.

Either way, the opposing litigants can appeal to the Supreme Court.