The Hawaii Supreme Court has ruled the recently redrawn voting district maps unconstitutional, saying the committee that made them must start over.
The Supreme Court says the reapportionment commission erred by taking non-permanent residents, like military members and students, into account.
Voting districts are re-drawn every decade after a census is taken.
Big Island groups sued after the last round, and Governor Abercrombie filed a brief backing them. The Governor said the ruling affirms that neighbor island growth needs to be recognized legislatively. A commission member said Oahu growth has been much larger.
The Big Island was denied a fourth state senate seat under the now-invalid reapportionment.
