As Rick wrote last week, a three-judge panel declined on Friday to delay North Carolina’s primary while a lawsuit challenging the new redistricting plan proceeds. Elected officials have released a flurry of statements reacting to the news.
From Democratic Senate and House minority leaders Martin Nesbitt and Joe Hackney:
We are encouraged about our ultimate success in this litigation based on the judges’ positive comments about the issues we raised. Still, we are disappointed they decided not to delay the primary election while they consider our case. We continue to believe the panel will ultimately agree this plan re-segregates North Carolina. This proposal also breaks apart too many precincts and will cause too much confusion on Election Day. This case is far from over.
From Joint Redistricting Committee chairman David Lewis, Republican of Harnett County:
Today’s decision means that North Carolina voters and candidates have certainty over the 2012 elections. While litigation regarding redistricting will continue to be handled by the legal system, today’s decision ensures that no practical impact will be had upon the timing of candidate filing, primary elections, or the general election in November. From the beginning of this process, we have endeavored to create maps that are fair and legal. Today’s decision protects the certainty our citizens deserve to have in our electoral process.
From Senate leader Phil Berger, Republican of Rockingham County:
“These fair, legal and competitive maps once again withstood legal and political scrutiny. Today’s decision ensures our primary elections will continue as scheduled, and it lifts a cloud of uncertainty from the elections process. This is an important victory for the voters of North Carolina.
