A three-judge panel will allow claims that a Republican-crafted redistricting plan is racially gerrymandered to proceed to trial. At the same time, the judges dismissed other claims brought by Democrats and civil rights groups:
The panel dismissed claims that the maps violated the state constitution because they were drawn in an “arbitrary and capricious” manner and that they didn’t reflect the “good of the whole.” The judges also dismissed the claim that split precincts aren’t allowed unless the U.S. Department of Justice fails to approve a map without them.
Superior Court Judges Paul Ridgeway, Joseph Crosswhite and Alma Hinton will allow arguments on claims that the maps were drawn with voters’ race in mind, which would violate the U.S. and North Carolina constitutions. They also will hear arguments on claims that splitting precincts creates a burden on some voters, that some legislative and congressional districts violate a provision that counties aren’t supposed to be split up and that the maps violate the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment.
No hearing date has been set for the case.
Update: Shortly after the ruling, N.C. Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg, Senate Chairman of the Redistricting Committee, released the following statement: “I am pleased that many of these frivolous complaints were dismissed today and am confident that once the facts are presented, the remainder of complaints will be tossed out.”
