Court rejects dispute in redistricting case

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court won’t hear an appeal from lawyers for former Texas Democratic gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis and others seeking $360,000 in legal fees after challenging state redistricting plans.

The justices on Monday let stand a federal appeals court ruling that said the lawyers were not entitled to fees.

A three-judge district court blocked the state’s redistricting plan ahead of the 2012 elections after Davis and voting rights groups challenged it.

But in a separate case, the Supreme Court later eliminated the Justice Department’s ability under the Voting Rights Act to identify and stop potentially discriminatory voting laws before they take effect.

Texas eventually repealed the contested plan, making the challengers’ lawsuit moot.

The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals said the challengers were not prevailing parties entitled to fees.