DENVER, Dec. 1 (UPI) -- The Colorado Supreme Court Monday tossed out the state's new congressional redistricting plan in a ruling that may have ramifications in the 2004 election.
The court ruled 5-2 that the plan passed by the Republican-led Legislature earlier this year violated the Colorado Constitution, which requires that redistricting be carried out only after each federal census and before the ensuing election.
The decision means Colorado will have to use the map of the seven congressional districts drafted by a federal judge in 2002 when the Legislature failed to act, unless there's a successful appeal. There are currently five Republicans and two Democrats in the state's delegation. Democrats hope to pick up two more seats next year under the court-ordered 2002 map.
The ruling could have implications in the Texas congressional redistricting fight, which is now in federal court with a trial scheduled to begin Dec. 11. The Justice Department is also reviewing the Texas lines to determine if they dilute minority voting strength. Republicans hope to gain as many as seven seats if the plan survives.
