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Sparks Fly at Redistricting Trial

December 16th, 2015 by Mike Vasilinda

The man in charge of drawing new maps for the State Senate spent and hour and forty five minutes being cross examined today by attorneys for a coalition of voters groups who want to prove the maps were drawn with political intent to help Republicans. But as Mike Vasilinda tells us, both sides have problems with trying to help political parties.

Last summer, State Senators admitted they purposely drew maps in 2012 to help Republicans. The Constitution says they can’t do that.  Now they are in court defending their latest map drawing effort.

” I do” said State Senator Bill Galvano.

Bill Galvano is the only sitting Senator to testify. He’s the Senate Majority Leader, was in charge of raising money for GOP campaigns. He”s in line to be Senate President, and he headed the map drawing efforts. He was asked pointed questions by Voters Coalition Attorney David King.

You did a lot of work raising money, isn’t that right?’

“That’s right” he responded

The point that voting coalition lawyers are trying to make is that Galvano has a lot of reasons to draw a map to help the GOP.

“You created a new map, isn’t that correct sir? asked King.

“That’s correct”

“That’s what you did and it just so happens to be the one that performs best for the Republicans?” Right?

“Based on your exhibit.”

But the legislature also won a minor victory. Emails from the voting groups map drawer were admitted into evidence. In a deposition John O’Neill appeared uncooperative when asked about those emails.

“You said we can pick you seats. Whats; meant? Was we the Democrats?

“I have no recollection of this call.”

Jason Zakia, another of the legislature’s attorneys argued that if lawmakers can’t help one party, neither can the voting groups.

“And if the alternative being offered violates tier one of the Constitution, then clearly it is not better than our map.”

The first new map drawn by the State Senate had five pairs of Senators running against each other..The final map has none.

The trial is expected to wrap up on Thursday.

Both sides are hoping to get a ruling early next year. he case will then go to the State Supreme Court, which might not rule until March.

 

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