U.S. District Judge Madeline Haikala ordered Jefferson County to redraw its district lines for its five commissioners on Tuesday.
The ruling could shift the Jefferson County Commission from a majority Republican to a Democratic majority.
According to the order by Haikala, the plaintiffs suing Jefferson County contended that the Commission’s 2021 redistricting map is “racially gerrymandered in violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution.”
“Because the 2021 plan violates the Fourteenth Amendment’s protection against racial gerrymandering, the Court permanently enjoins the Commission and its agents from using the 2021 plan in Jefferson County Commission elections. Within 30 days, the parties shall please file a joint report on the development of a remedial redistricting plan,” Haikala said in her order filed on Tuesday.
To connect with the author of this story or to comment, email [email protected].
Don't miss out! Subscribe to our newsletter and get our top stories every day.
