Federal judge sets deadlines for final briefs in Hattiesburg redistricting dispute - Daily Journal

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HATTIESBURG, Mississippi — A federal judge has given two sides in a redistricting dispute until mid-February to file final arguments with the court.

U.S. District Judge Keith Starrett held a trial on October on a challenge to how Hattiesburg redrew its district lines for the city council.

The Hattiesburg American reports (http://hatne.ws/1tMYGf0 ) that Starrett gave the plaintiffs a Jan. 5 deadline to file briefs in the case with the defendants filing their reply by Feb. 2.

The lawsuit, brought by seven African-American registered voters of Hattiesburg, argues the redrawing of voting ward lines following the 2010 Census "dilutes the overall African-American voting strength in Hattiesburg." They want the lines redrawn.

The city council, which approved the new district lines in 2012, has denied that the new districts are racially polarizing.

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Information from: The Hattiesburg American, http://ift.tt/1dH8XXX