On Jan. 20, the Republican-controlled Kentucky General Assembly, overrode Gov. Andy Beshear’s (D) Vetoes of Congressional and State House District Maps, putting the New Lines into effect. Beshear Vetoed the Two Maps on Jan. 19. He did Not Veto the State Senate Map, allowing it to take effect on Jan. 21 without his Signature.
Kentucky is One of Six States that requires a simple Majority to Override a Gubernatorial Veto. At least 20 Votes in the Senate and 51 in the House.
Beshear said he Vetoed the Congressional Map “because it was drafted without public input and reflects unconstitutional political gerrymandering.”
House Speaker David Osborne (R-59th District) said, “[Beshear] is wrong on the facts, wrong on the law, and he knows it. This proposal meets all legal considerations.”
Bloomberg Government’s Greg Giroux wrote that Congressional Maps will likely preserve the existing 5-1 Republican Advantage in the State’s U.S. House Delegation.
In his Veto message regarding the State House Map, Beshear said he felt it split Multiple Counties for Partisan reasons. Beshear also said, “[T]his plan appears to dilute the voices of certain minority communities.”
State Rep. Jerry Miller (R-36th District) said, “This is constitutional, it fully meets the voting [rights act]. And I think [Beshear] was foolish to veto it.”
After the General Assembly Overrode Beshear’s Vetoes, a group of Voters and the Kentucky Democratic Party, filed a Lawsuit in the Franklin County Circuit Court challenging the Congressional and House Maps as Partisan Gerrymanders. Plaintiffs asked the Court to Order the Legislature to create New Maps.
Including Kentucky, Two other States, Maryland and Wisconsin, have had Redistricting Maps Vetoed by their Governors.
Like Kentucky, both States have Divided Governments, meaning No Single Party controls the Governorship and Legislature.
In Maryland, Gov. Larry Hogan (R) Vetoed a Congressional Map plan on Dec. 9, 2021. The Democratic-controlled General Assembly Overrode that Veto the same day.
In Wisconsin, Gov. Tony Evers (D) Vetoed Congressional and Legislative Maps on Nov. 18, 2021, sending the Process to the State Supreme Court.
Five other States with Divided Governments, where Governors may Veto Redistricting Plans, have Not yet finished Drawing new lines: Kansas, Louisiana, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Vermon.
NYC Wins When Everyone Can Vote! Michael H. Drucker
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