Opinion ID: 1711382
Heading Depth: 2
Heading Rank: 3

Heading: Is the Census map or the Joint Resolution of the House controlling?

Text: ¶ 20. The Census map attached to the Joint Resolution controlling redistricting shows that C4 is a split precinct with a portion edging into House District 56. Yet language in Joint Resolution 1 states that C4 is a whole precinct that exists in District 72. ¶ 21. The ambiguity was correctly resolved by the trial court. The language of the Joint Resolution demanded that the Census maps be used to determine precinct lines. Specifically, the resolution set boundaries of the House of Representatives districts according to three guiding principles: first, counties were to appear as they existed on January 1, 2002; secondly, precinct boundaries were delineated by Census 2000 redistricting maps; and last, maps were also to be guided by boundaries of the census tracts or blocks ... contained in Census 2000 redistricting maps. The resolution went on to state that [i]t is also intended that no district shall include any of the area included within any description of any other district. (emphasis added). ¶ 22. The clear language of the Joint Resolution is that the Census map should control all districts. The Census Map shows C4 within District 56. The trial court correctly ruled on the issue.