Five people, including two Republican congressional candidates, have filed suit in federal court to prevent the Pennsylvania Supreme Court from establishing new district maps.
The suit states that the Court would overstep its authority and the plaintiffs are asking for a restraining order to prevent the high court from changing the election calendar according to the Associated Press. The argument makes the case that the stalemate between the governor and the legislature should require all 17 races to be run as “at-large” contests in the Commonwealth this year.
Because Pennsylvania lost a seat based on 2020 census results, the state cannot run this year’s congressional races based on the existing 18-district map.
“Any attempt by the state judiciary to usurp the Legislature’s constitutionally assigned role must be disregarded by state officials,” the plaintiffs argued. Jonathan F. Mitchell, one of their lawyers, declined to comment.
The defendants are Governor Tom Wolf, Acting Secretary of State Leigh Chapman, and Jessica Mathis, Wolf’s director of the Bureau of Election Services and Notaries. A Department of State spokeswoman declined to comment, citing ongoing litigation.
Deadlines for circulating nominating petitions to get on the May 17 primary ballots have been suspended by the state Supreme Court while it considers the congressional redistricting case.
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2 Responses
Hi Dee Pat,
Do you believe in our AMERICAN democracy? From your comments, the decision did not go your way and thus your disagreement in the judicial system ruling. Should we dissolve our union because we disagree with the guy who lives down the street and by the way, loves his family and served this country? Do you like the Dred Scott ruling, Brown v Board of Ed, Roe v Wade? Our democracy and its people are pluralistic. Some support defense spending and gay marriage, while others support the environment and Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. America is great because we accept decisions we do not like..
This is WONDERFUL! Thank good ness for these constitutional attorneys ! RINOS and DEMOCRATS sold PA down the river to benefit themselves ! And they are using the courts (D controlled) to legislate from the bench (as always!)