Senate Files Motion to Intervene in Redistricting Lawsuit

Pointing to the need to maintain the integrity of Oklahoma’s election process, the State Senate has filed a motion to intervene in Sen. Jim Wilson’s lawsuit challenging the bipartisan Senate Redistricting Act of 2011. Senate President Pro Tempore Brian Bingman said the motion was filed late Thursday afternoon in Oklahoma County District Court.

“The State Supreme Court has already upheld the constitutionality of the district boundaries approved on a bipartisan vote by the Senate and signed by the Governor,” said Bingman, R-Sapulpa. “We are confident the District Court will reach the same conclusion, and are urging them to dismiss this lawsuit.”

According to the Senate’s motion, the case should be dismissed as the exact argument had already been raised by Wilson in an earlier lawsuit filed in the State Supreme Court. That challenge was rejected just last week.

Sen. Bryce Marlatt co-chaired the committee that drafted the redistricting plan. He called the latest lawsuit disappointing.

“It’s frustrating, because this was a committee that included both parties from every part of the state. The majority of Democrats who voted for this plan supported it, and agreed it was the product of a bipartisan effort,” said Marlatt, R- Woodward. “But I think it is especially disappointing because public resources must be used defending this unnecessary lawsuit.”

Wilson v. State Election Board - Motion to Intervene and Brief in Support