The U.S. Supreme Court and a panel of federal judges in Middle District Court rejected the request of Pennsylvania Republicans to block the state’s remedial congressional map.
On Monday, the Supreme Court issued a one sentence ruling indicating that Justice Samuel Alito denied the plea.
On the other hand, the panel of judges in the Middle District Court of Pennsylvania wrote in its ruling:
“The Plaintiffs’ frustration with the process by which the Pennsylvania Supreme Court implemented its own redistricting map is plain. But frustration, even frustration emanating from arduous time constraints placed on the legislative process, does not accord the Plaintiffs a right to relief.”
In January, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that the state’s existing congressional map is unconstitutional. The state high court ordered the Legislature and the Governor to redraw the congressional map. They were required to submit the new map on February 15.
The Legislature and the Governor failed to comply with the order. As a result, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court released a remedial congressional map for the state’s primary election. The Republicans in the state challenged it citing the reason that the state high court violated the U.S. Constitution’s Elections Clause.
Pennsylvania GOP disappointed
In a statement, the Pennsylvania GOP Senate Leaders said they were “upset and disappointed” with the courts’ decision.
