California Dem Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Remove Redistricting Initiative From Ballot
Mood:  chatty
Topic: Lib Loser Stories

California Attorney General Bill Lockyer, a fruitcake, whacko dem who supports same-sex marriage among other textbook, talking point libtard bullshit... seems scared of relinquishing the jerry-mandered dem seats of power in the Cali state legislature.

Funny, seeing as how the link about gay marriage above is a story of how he thought the issue should've been decided by voters and not the courts.

California Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Remove Redistricting Initiative From Ballot

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - California Attorney General Bill Lockyer filed a lawsuit Friday to remove Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's redistricting initiative from the November ballot, saying supporters violated the state Constitution when they significantly changed the measure's wording.

The measure asks voters to change the way district boundaries are drawn for members of Congress and the state Legislature, which is dominated by Democrats. Schwarzenegger, a Republican, wants to take redistricting power away from the state lawmakers and give it to a panel of retired judges, a process he said would create more competitive elections.

Lockyer, a Democrat, filed the lawsuit to block the initiative late Friday afternoon in Sacramento County court.

A spokeswoman for Schwarzenegger, Margita Thompson, said the measure should remain on the ballot.

"The discrepancies are minimal, and the governor believes the people should be allowed to vote on the initiative," she said. "We believe the courts will uphold the rights of the over 900,000 people who signed the petition to have the initiative placed on the ballot."

The redistricting measure is one of eight on the Nov. 8 special election ballot and one of three being pushed by Schwarzenegger. His others would cap state spending and extend the time it takes teachers to get tenure.

Lockyer said in a statement: "By opting to collect signatures on a ballot measure different from the text reviewed and approved by the attorney general, the proponents violated state law and deceived voters."

Lockyer said there were numerous substantive changes, including "language emphasizing the unique ability of judges to draw competitive districts, altering the method used to identify line-drawers and modifying assorted deadlines."

Tampa Bay Online ~ Associated Press - Brian Melley ** California Attorney General Files Lawsuit to Remove Redistricting Initiative From Ballot