February 8, 2012

Federal Court Shoots Down Pileggi Redistricting Appeal

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — A federal judge has ruled that Pennsylvania's 2001 legislative district maps should be used in this year's elections after the state Supreme Court rejected a new redistricting plan.
          Senior U.S. District Judge R. Barclay Surrick says the election cycle is too far along to wait for a new plan to be developed and approved.
          Barclay says he doesn't want to postpone the April 24 primary because it could deprive Pennsylvanians the right to vote in the presidential primary.
          He has upheld a state Supreme Court plan to use the 2001 legislative map.
          The ruling Monday is a setback for Republican Senate Majority Leader Dominic Pileggi, Latino groups and others. They sought to block the use of the 2001 maps, citing population shifts over the past decade.
NewsClips
Federal Court Shoots Down Pileggi Redistricting Appeal
Federal Judge Nixes Pileggi Challenge To Redistricting Maps