The GOP is taking it on the chin in gerrymandering cases.
Thus far, every challenged map has been sent back and every case they have had has been dismissed.
In one case, it was actually Republicans that were their own undoing.
New Jersey
The maps in New Jersey were a genuine surprise, as the court has three conservative members.
Of the six-judge panel, all five voting justices ruled to allow the map to stand.
Chief Justice Stuart Rabner, a Democrat, stated, “Historically, after meeting in private with the respective partisan delegations to discuss their proposals, the independent member serves as the tiebreaker and selects one party’s preferred map.
“The outcome commonly garners praise from one party and criticism from the other.
“This redistricting cycle was no different.”
He continued, “We review redistricting plans only to determine if the map selected is ‘unlawful.’
“So long as the final map is constitutional, the Court cannot grant any relief. It is not the Court’s task to decide whether one map is fairer or better than another.”
Kansas
Kansas was a completely different matter, as the map proposed faced a veto from the Democrat governor, but Republican votes would be needed to uphold her veto.
Four Republicans voted to uphold the governor’s veto power, dealing the GOP yet another blow.
The final vote fell at 25-14, which means another vote must be taken to secure the two-thirds threshold.
A total of 27 votes would be needed to override the veto of the Democrat governor.
The Senate failed to override the veto of the congressional maps, but it's not over. It appears Republicans will use a procedural move to reconsider the vote later. That gives them one last shot. #ksleg https://t.co/WWTN8T2xCQ
— Stephen Koranda (@Stephen_Koranda) February 8, 2022
What saved this vote at the time was Senator Mike Thompson mysteriously disappearing.
Republicans were not expected to have a problem having the map passed in Kansas, but this has just turned into a disaster.
What seemed like it would be a walk-through to regain the house is slowly being chipped away.
I initially predicted a swing of almost three dozen seats, but if Republicans keep losing the gerrymandering cases, they will be lucky to regain the majority.
Are you surprised the GOP is talking so many losses regarding congressional maps?
Tell us what you think in the comments section below.
