Legislative map trial begins after Congress lines nixed

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A federal trial begins Monday evaluating North Carolina’s legislative districts two months since a court struck down two congressional districts as illegal racial gerrymanders and ordered lines be redrawn.

Voters in nearly 30 challenged state House and Senate districts use similar arguments that won out in February and also want new maps.

The weeklong trial is expected to focus on whether lawmakers went too far making so many districts with majority black voting-age populations.

Attorneys for the state defend the legislative districts but also request a three-judge panel hearing the case not to force lawmakers to make changes until next year should they lose in court.

March primaries were held using the current General Assembly boundaries, which also were used in 2012 and 2014 and helped Republican pad their majorities.

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