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Arguments fly in lawsuit over new Ohio districts

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By JULIE CARR SMYTH, The Associated Press 6:41 PM Friday, February 3, 2012

COLUMBUS, Ohio — One side says Democrats are distorting the facts. The other says Republicans are distracting from the truth.

These are the two sides playing out in written briefs flying in an Ohio Supreme Court case over the state's new legislative districts.

In a pointed filing Friday, lawyers for Democrats challenging the newly drawn map on behalf of private citizens said Republicans ignore crucial evidence in order to defend an unconstitutional map. They cite a nonprofit group's investigation showing the GOP did mapping work in a private hotel room in downtown Columbus and that one operative wrote email tying more easily winnable districts to cost savings.

Republicans' briefs, filed Monday, told justices Democrats have provided inadequate information to back up their claims that decisions were made behind closed doors.

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February 03, 2012 11:36 PM EST

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