Politics & Government

UPDATED: Rep. John Maher 'Hopes Peters Will Remain Undivided'

The state Supreme Court threw out the new redistricting map Wednesday, causing nominating petitions to be set back two days.

The state Supreme Court on Wednesday threw out the new legislative redistricting map, saying it was "contrary to law."

The Post-Gazette reported that the opinion was issued Wednesday, and that as a result, nominating petitions for those seeking state House and Senate seats would be pushed back two days.

The justices voted 4-3 to send the plan back to the Legislative Reapportionment Commission, and the majority said their opinion in the case would be released later.

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Rep. John Maher, R-Allegheny, Washington, said that Peters is reunited in the 40th district—for the time being.

"While the Supreme Court's order has ignited considerable confusion and gnashing elsewhere, Peters Township is happy that its simple wish to be undivided has suddenly come true—for now," he said. "Yet another new map will emerge from the process. I hope, and will encourage, that all of Peters Township will remain united in a single House district."

Find out what's happening in Peterswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

The two-page order says current district lines remain in force until the commission comes up with a new plan that passes legal muster. The commission consists of the Republican and Democratic floor leaders from the House and Senate, along with a fifth member, an appointed judge. The plan the court threw out was opposed by Senate Democrats.

Reached on the matter, state , D-Cecil, whose district was substantially changed by the map said, "This could be utter chaos for everybody. When the Supreme Court reaches its opinion we'll see exactly what kind of changes the Legislative Redistricting Commission needs to make and hopefully they can be addressed quickly and efficiently."

State  added: "It shows you the map does not meet constitutional muster. It will be interesting to see how the state reacts. For now it is too early to tell if my district is going to change at all."


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