WASHINGTON (AP) - Maryland residents arguing that their lawsuit over the state's 2011 redrawing of its congressional districts was thrown out prematurely seemed to find some sympathy with justices at the U.S. Supreme Court.
During oral arguments Wednesday, the residents' lawyer asked the Supreme Court to agree that that the lawsuit should have been forwarded to a three-judge panel, not dismissed by a single judge.
The group of three Maryland residents filed their lawsuit in 2013 arguing that the new district map, which allowed Democrats to pick up an additional seat in Congress, was irrational and violated their First Amendment and other rights.
Maryland resident Stephen Shapiro, who initiated the case and is now attending law school in Washington, said after the argument that he felt "very, very hopeful."
