The county has been running its elections based on the disputed maps, and the elections board conducted its primary election in May based on them.
In a lawsuit still pending, a candidate in the 2nd District sued the Board of Elections, alleging that she was disqualified based on the district map. Her lawsuit claims that the county maps are unconstitutional and that she should have the right to run for office.
Judge Kerry Hill heard the case in June but has yet to issue a ruling.
Credit: Ben Hendren
Credit: Ben Hendren
Daniel White, an attorney for the elections board, told Hill during the hearing that if the maps were tossed out and the primary election had to be redone, it would be nearly impossible for the elections board to complete a new primary election before the general election in November.
In lieu of Hill’s ruling, the elections board resolved to prepare its own legal action to seek a ruling on whether the maps are constitutional.
Election Board Chairwoman Tori Silas said because the board only meets once a month, it made sense to assign White the task of preparing the application so the board could be proactive in finalizing the maps.
“We don’t know what Judge Hill will rule, and whatever rule he rules, we will of course abide by that,” Silas said, “but we are trying to be proactive.”
Board members Jennifer Mosbacher and Stacey Efrat voted against filing a lawsuit. Mosbacher said she was concerned another lawsuit would further complicate things.
“It’s possible that this process could expand even further,” she said.
The elections board remains neutral on the legality of the maps but is aware of their impact on voters, Silas said.
“There’s a lot of confusion,” she said. “This confusion is the result of two competing maps, neither of which were drawn up by the Election Commission, and it is not our duty or responsibility to draw maps. We simply implement the maps.”
