One of the people who says the new districts for state representatives have been so poorly drawn that they’re illegal sympathizes with people who are waiting to find out who they’ll represent and even where they might have to live.

The supreme court says it will expedite hearing the lawsuit—after it has been re-filed in a circuit court and a circuit judge has blocked the use of the map.   A dozen plaintiffs say the new district lines are far out of balance in population, compactness, and contiguity and violate the one-man, one-vote standard.

One of the plaintiffs is Joan Bray, who served 18 years in the House and the state senate.  She went through a reapportionment during her career but it wasn’t as traumatic as this one is for several incumbents and candidates. .

If the supreme court throws out the House districts, all three redistricting plans will have been ruled unconstitutional.  Bray thinks that clearly shows the process is broken. 

She says the court has given more definitive directions for doing the maps right the next time. She hopes the same happens with Hosue districts so they more fairly show Missouri’s voting history. 

Republicans control the House and Senate by large majorities and have six of our nine members of Congress. 

 AUDIO: Bray interview 8:32 mp3