TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — The Florida Supreme Court is being asked to decide whether to end a legal battle that is bringing to light political deal-making by both parties.
Voters in 2010 adopted new standards for legislative and Congressional districts. There are pending lawsuits that contend that the Republican-led Legislature ignored these standards.
Lawyers for the Legislature want the court to throw out one lawsuit challenging new state Senate districts. The Supreme Court will hear oral arguments Thursday.
But the groups challenging the maps argue the case should proceed because they've unearthed documents showing top GOP officials met in late 2010 to brainstorm redistricting with political consultants and legislative staffers.
Legislative lawyers, however, have discovered emails showing Democratic consultants were asked by those filing the lawsuit to draw up maps that could favor Democrats.
