Trial on North Carolina legislative maps is over

GREENSBORO, NC (AP) — The Latest on a federal trial evaluating the legality of nearly 30 North Carolina General Assembly districts based on the racial composition of their residents (all times local):

5:20 p.m.

A federal trial on North Carolina’s legislative districts has concluded with lawyers getting their last arguments in over whether Republican lawmakers went too far drawing so many districts with black voting-age populations above 50 percent.

A ruling by the three-judge panel following the trial that concluded Friday in Greensboro is at least several weeks away. The timing of the ruling could determine whether any changes ordered to the boundaries would have to be completed in time for this year’s elections.

Plaintiffs’ attorney Anita Earls said during closing arguments that GOP lawmakers needlessly created majority-black districts where black legislative candidates have won with the help of white Democrats. But Tom Farr – representing the state – says there is still racially polarized voting in North Carolina and that creating majority-black districts where possible inoculates the state from legal challenges.

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1:25 p.m.

A federal trial scrutinizing North Carolina’s General Assembly districts on their racial composition is almost over.

A mapmaker who helped Republicans draw state House and Senate districts in 2011 testified Friday in a Greensboro courtroom. Thomas Hofeller has worked on redistricting plans across the country. He talked about how he arrived at creating majority-black districts and the difficulty fashioning North Carolina’s lines to comply with both the federal Voting Rights Act and state criteria to minimize district lines that cut through county boundaries.

Lawyers for voters who challenged nearly 30 districts presented evidence earlier this week. They alleged that GOP lawmakers diluted the political influence of black voters when Republicans shoehorned them into the districts.

Closing arguments were likely Friday afternoon. The three-judge panel isn’t expected to rule right away.

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