California Supreme Court agrees to hear challenge to state Senate district maps

The California Supreme Court agreed unanimously Friday to consider which district maps should apply for next November's state Senate elections.

Meeting in closed session, the state high court set a speedy timetable for written arguments and a hearing to determine the legal authority for the court's intervention in the ongoing feud over election maps.

A group of Republicans last week asked the court to appoint a special master to decide the boundaries of Senate districts if a referendum to overturn a plan drawn by a citizens commission qualifies for next November's ballot.

The court refused to appoint a special master to advise the court on maps but agreed to consider which districts might apply in November should the repeal qualify.

The court said it hopes to hold a hearing in early January and decide the case later that month.

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-- Maura Dolan