In the filing, they write that their goal in any redistricting plan is to avoid pairing any Republican or Democratic incumbents and to avoid substantially altering the partisan makeup of any competitive districts. And in the case of the strong Democratic districts, only those districts not protected by the Voting Rights Act. In a sharp letter to Democratic leaders that Republicans attached to their motion, Cox wrote off Democrats’ written overtures as political posturing. “Apparently, the Republicans believe that listing the various dates when they might have had short discussions with Democrats about redistricting constitutes ‘collaborating,’” said Southerland. Cox said in a statement and in the court filing that the House elections committee will meet Sept. 27 to formally resume redistricting discussions between lawmakers.