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.