By Dave Thompson
Bismarck, ND – The North Dakota Democratic Party will not challenge the new Legislative redistricting plan in court -- at least not now.
Instead, the party's policy committee decided to support efforts by the North Dakota Farmers Union and others for an initiated measure to go back to 49 districts, instead of the 47 passed by the Legislature.
Vern Thompson is the Democratic Party's executive director.
"We have a number of attorneys that do believe that there is a very strong case for at least 26,000 voters who have been disenfranchised by not being able to vote for a House or Senate member for six years. But as a party, this is the position that we're taking at this time."
The Farmers Union is looking for bi-partisan support for its efforts -- which could also include creation of a non-partisan redistricting commission, and the moving of the primary election from June to September. The Farmers Union has not yet announced if it will go ahead with that initiative.