The Supreme Court’s liberals and conservatives appear divided about striking down a Wisconsin redistricting plan because it is excessively partisan.

The case is Gill v. Whitford – and the big question, after an hour-long argument Tuesday, is what Justice Anthony Kennedy thinks. The answer could reshape American politics.

The North Carolina Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform has long called for changes to the redistricting process – ending partisan gerrymandering and giving the power to an independent commission rather than allowing lawmakers to draw their own districts.

Director Jane Pinsky discussed Gill v. Whitford with Aaron Keck on WCHL.

 

Kennedy suggested that courts could be involved in placing limits on extremely partisan electoral maps.

But he did not tip his hand at all about whether the Wisconsin map that favors Republicans crossed a line and violates the Constitution.

There was little doubt about where the rest of the court stood.

The liberal justices appeared to favor the Democratic voters who challenged the Wisconsin plan.

The conservative justices were skeptical about striking down the state’s map or even involving courts in the inherently political process of redistricting.

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