North Carolina redistricting upheld again by state justices

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A US Supreme Court decision this year hasn’t changed the minds of a majority on North Carolina’s highest court, which last year upheld the state’s congressional and legislative districts as lawful.

The state Supreme Court ruled Friday maps drawn by Republicans in 2011 still withstand constitutional scrutiny. The federal justices had told the state court to review the boundaries again after their decision involving Alabama districts.

Four of the seven state justices reaffirmed North Carolina’s maps as legal.

Those who sued over North Carolina’s maps still say GOP mapmakers went too far by creating too many majority-black districts. A lead plaintiff plans to ask the US Supreme Court to weigh in again.

The maps helped Republicans expand their majorities at the General Assembly and in the state’s congressional delegation.

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