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Supreme Court Approves District Lines

Christopher Keating

February 11, 2012

The state Supreme Court on Friday approved minor changes to the state's Congressional district boundaries, ending months of debate.

The ruling was the final determination in a long-running battle between Republicans and Democrats over the district lines, which are redrawn every 10 years to account for the latest numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

After the dispute reached a deadlock late last year, the state hired a special master from Columbia University in New York City to resolve the issue. In a tight time frame, the special master made a quick recommendation, and will now be paid $36,400.

The state's five Congressional districts will essentially remain the same -- except for some minor tinkering.

A Republican proposal would have enacted far more drastic changes, than the Democrats, but both the special master and the state Supreme Court agreed with the Democrats.