PA Congressional Maps Must Be Redrawn, State Supreme Court Rules

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled Monday that the state's maps are unconstitutional and must be redrawn. The Democratic-controlled court ruled by a 4-3 vote that the districts must be redrawn ahead of the 2018 primary election.

The current maps, drawn in 2011, "clearly, plainly, and palpably" violate the state's constitution, the order says. "On that sole basis, we hereby strike it as unconstitutional."

Sources from the New York Times are calling it a "huge loss for the Republicans."

Republicans can petition the U.S. Supreme Court to hear it, "but this decision was based on the Pennsylvania Constitution, not the U.S. Constitution, so it's not clear the Supremes will hear it," according to Lt. Gov. Mike Stack.

According to the order, the legislature has until Feb. 9 to pass a replacement map, and Democratic Gov. Tom Wolf has until Feb. 15 to submit it to the court. If that doesn't happen, "this Court shall proceed expeditiously to adopt a plan based on the evidentiary record developed in the Commonwealth Court," the order says.

The case generated national interest, with the 7th District — now represented by embroiled Republican Pat Meehan — becoming an infamous example of gerrymandering.

The current system benefits Republicans in Pennsylvania by "borrowing" heavily from Democratic strongholds in southeastern Pennsylvania and west-central Pennsylvania and looping them into Republican districts that are farther away from the blue centers of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. See examples here.

As the Associated Press notes, the state’s congressional delegation is controlled 13-5 by the GOP but there are more registered Democrats than Republicans.

It's not clear how many seats the GOP stands to lose based on the ruling. The New York Times estimates at least one.

The DNC, in statement, called the decision a "victory for democracy and another blow to the Republican Party."

This is a breaking story, check back for updates.