December 03, 2003

WHY NOT GET RID OF THE LEGISLATURE ALTOGETHER AND LET JUDGES RULE?:

A Ruling for Democratic Principles (NY Times, 12/03/03)

The Colorado Supreme Court took a stand for electoral fairness this week when it struck down a partisan redrawing of the state's Congressional district lines. It held that districts should be drawn once after the census, not whenever a party sees a chance to pick up seats. The alternative would mean constant redistricting, and interference with state Congressional delegations, whenever one party got the upper hand at the state level.

Colorado adopted Congressional district lines after the 2000 census that were used in the 2002 elections. The boundaries, chosen by a state court...


Who but the Left would argue that it's a victory for democratic principles having judges instead of the elected legislature apportion voting districts?

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 3, 2003 10:39 AM
Comments

You're confused. When they say democratic principles, they mean the democratic party.

Posted by: some random person at December 3, 2003 10:46 AM

If all of the justices on the CO court had been appointed by Republican governors, would the NYT have commented on that?

Posted by: jim hamlen at December 3, 2003 10:52 AM

I can't access the article or judgment, but would it follow that the courts now also have the power to actually initiate electoral change whenever they feel it is just and fair to do so--like just before a close election?

Posted by: Peter B at December 3, 2003 12:38 PM

As it happens, the 5 judges nominated by a Democrat voted in the majority, and the 2 judges nominated by a Republican dissented.

Posted by: pj at December 3, 2003 08:53 PM
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