Supreme Court sets new look at partisan electoral districts

FILE – In this Sept. 21, 2018, file photo, the Supreme Court is seen in Washington. The Supreme Court term has steered clear of drama since the tumultuous confirmation of Justice Brett Kavanaugh. The next few weeks will test whether the calm can last. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite, File)

by: Associated Press

Posted: Jan 5, 2019 / 11:16 PM EST

Updated: Jan 5, 2019 / 11:16 PM EST

The Supreme Court is plunging back into the issue of whether electoral districts can be too partisan.

Disputes have arisen in cases involving North Carolina’s heavily Republican congressional map and a Democratic congressional district in Maryland.

The justices said Friday they will hear arguments in March in disputes that could produce the first limits on partisan politics in the drawing of electoral districts.

But the court also could ultimately decide that federal judges have no role in trying to police political mapmaking.

The high court took up the issue of partisan gerrymandering last term in cases from Wisconsin and the same Maryland district. But the justices failed to reach a decision on limiting political line-drawing for political gain.