Pennsylvania Redistricting: Supreme Court Review

US Supreme Court Justice Samuel Alito announced that he will look at the Pennsylvania Supreme Court’s ruling to invalidate the state’s congressional boundaries that were adopted in 2011.  In late January, the court took action and has given the legislature and Governor only until February 15th to draw and enact a new map.  Should the entire court look at Pennsylvania court’s ruling, it may change the outcome. 
 
As we have seen in other places, the lawsuit here challenges the congressional plan on political gerrymandering grounds.  The US Supreme Court has already heard a similar case in Wisconsin, but have yet to issue a decision.  The Badger State ruling will affect similar lawsuits in Michigan, North Carolina, Texas, and Virginia.  Therefore, questions remain about whether the high court will attempt to halt the Pennsylvania decision if it conflicts with their Wisconsin action.
 
Should the state Supreme Court be over-ridden, we will still see heavy competition throughout the state, largely because of four open seats that Republicans must defend, at least two of which are politically marginal.
 
--Jim Ellis