Supreme Court denies motion to return to older Galveston County precinct maps In a 6-3 vote, the United States Supreme Court turned down the coalition of Galveston County elected officials and the Dickinson-Bay Area Branch of the NAACP push to reject new county commissioner maps drawn up in 2021. In the latest blow to the plaintiffs, the majority of the country’s highest court said the new map would be used for the 2024 elections. The map essentially changes the County Commissioner Precinct 3 lines so that it flips from Democratic Party dominant voters to a 64% Republican-leaning district. Plaintiffs argued that the new Precinct 3 map would adversely disenfranchise the black vote within the precinct. The Fifth Circuit of Appeals ruled last week the new maps to be used, reversing the decision of a lower federal court that said the new maps violated the federal Voting Rights Act. Chief Justice John Roberts and Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh and Amy Coney Barrett denied reversing the 5th Circuit’s decision. Justice Elena Kagan, in a dissent opinion, said she would have vacated the 5th Circuit’s stay because “The Fifth Circuit’s stay itself disrupted the status quo—an election map concededly lawful under Circuit precedent and nearly identical to the maps that have governed the election of Galveston County’s commissioners for decades.” She went on to write, “In imposing a different map, acknowledged to violate current law - on the theory that the (5th) Circuit might someday change that law— the Court of Appeals went far beyond its proper authority.” The court released no majority opinions. The decision means that Hank Dugie, the county treasurer until the office is eliminated on January 1, will be the Republican nominee for Precinct 3. He will challenge Commissioner Stephen Holmes, who has been in office for over 20 years. Holmes is the lone Democrat filed to run for the seat. While the precinct now leans heavily Republican, it’s not a sure-fire bet Holmes will be voted out. The lawsuit has motivated many voters and Democrats and Independents who have, for the most part, been on the sidelines politically for several years. And with only one race to focus on, Holmes will have a highly motivated coalition - including some moderate Republicans - who will seek to send Holmes back to office. Dugie gained some valuable campaign experience, though, first fending off two other candidates for the Republican nomination for treasurer. He then led the effort to get voters statewide and within the county to eliminate Galveston County’s Treasurer’s Office. “I’m very disappointed with the decision,” Galveston County Constable Terry Petteway said. He said all other comments would go through his attorney. This developing story will be updated as more information becomes available.
Posted by i45NOW TJ Aulds at 2023-12-12 21:16:39 UTC