High Court Rejects House Redistricting Plan

The Court wants judge James Hall to redraw new maps by Feb. 27

By Joey Peters

 The state Supreme Court today rejected new state House redistricting lines approved last month by a retired district judge that closely resembled Gov. Susana Martinez' submitted plan.

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In October, Martinez vetoed the legislative plan passed by House Democrats during September's special session. The Supreme Court initially instructed James Hall, a retired District judge, to approve new district maps.

In January, Hall favored Martinez' plan and took Native American districts into account to meet minority voting clauses in the federal Voting Rights Act. Democratic Reps. Brian Egolf, D-Santa Fe, and Antonio "Moe" Maestas, D-Bernalillo, legally challenged Martinez' House plan and each drew out their own lines.

Earlier this week at the Supreme Court, lawyers representing the legislative Democrats argued that Hall didn't do the same for traditionally Hispanic-majority districts in Curry and Chaves counties.

In today's court ruling, the Court remanded the case back to Hall, urging him to consolidate districts in Silver City, Deming and Las Vegas and redraw the lines by Feb. 27.

Read the ruling here:

Santa Fe Reporter

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