BOISE, Id –The Idaho Redistricting Commission did not meet the 5 o’clock deadline this afternoon to draw a Legislative and Congressional map. Today is the three month deadline for the bi-partisan commission. Throughout the day, Commissioners switched between anger and compromise. Republican Lou Esposito, was repeatedly frustrated when he looked at several contested districts.
Lou Esposito “The only way to describe this is just an abomination for political advantage. I don’t know how else to even characterize this.”
Commissioners stalled on four separate areas of the state. North Idaho, two parts in the southeast corner of the state, and a district that includes both Boise and Eagle. Esposito told his fellow commissioners he was tired of rehashing the same old arguments.
Lou Esposito “This is just not acceptable, this is just not workable, and quite honestly we’ve said this over and over again.”
Commissioners did reach some common ground to find a compromise on districts in North Idaho. But without a final Legislative and Congressional plan by the deadline, they violate Idaho’s Constitution. Now it’s up to the Idaho Supreme Court which could order the six commissioners to go back to the drawing board.
