Top Court Rules States Free to Redistrict

WASHINGTON (AP) - A fractured Supreme Court ruled Wednesday that states are free to redraw congressional districts whenever they want, largely blessing Tom DeLay's bitterly contested handiwork in Texas and the gains it gave national Republicans.

"With respect to a mid-decade redistricting to change districts drawn earlier in conformance with a decennial census, the Constitution and Congress state no explicit prohibition," (Anthony) Kennedy wrote.

Mid-decade redistricting for political purposes was not uncommon in the 1800s but has been rare over the last century, said Michael McDonald, an assistant professor in government and politics at George Mason University.