These new maps are unbelievable. I could not believe what I was seeing. I helped draw the lines in 2000 and the judges also had to finish the process that year as well. But in 2000 the judges seemed to draw districts that kept the Republican and Democrat voting percentages close to where they had been before unless it was an open seat.
They also did not put incumbents together. I have only made a quick review of these new maps but from what I can see some of the districts have much different numbers and there was no benefit given to incumbents unless it's a Democrat incumbent. There also appear to be several places where incumbents are put into the same district. So far it looks like more Republicans than Democrats.
I will need to take a close look at the suburban seats to make a complete analysis, but at first glance there will be several Republican legislators not very happy with this map.
It is surprising to see judges go this political with the process and I wonder what the Republican leaders were doing to make their case. Did the judges just blow them off and only listen to Democrats? If they didn't scream loud enough behind closed door they better start screaming now.
Sincerely,
Rod Jetton
