By now you’ve probably read in the N&R about the General Assembly’s last minute ‘technical correction’ to the law passed earlier this year redistricting the Greensboro City Council, which was later put on hold by a federal judge:
Senate Bill 119, a technical revisions bill, made changes to a long list of bills passed in the session. Among those changes: removing the most controversial and legally problematic part of the Greensboro redistricting law.
Legislators changed the text that called for permanently removing the city’s ability to redraw its own council district lines. That provision, which would have made Greensboro the only city in the state without that power, was at the center of federal Judge Catherine Eagles’ decision to enjoin the law.
The new language states that Greensboro can change its own lines — but must wait until after the 2020 census.
Mayor Nancy Vaughan says “obviously” legislators were “looking for a better position for trial.” While that may be true, the bigger story —which in my opinion should get more prominent play—is Guilford County Attorney Mark Payne —-representing the county’s Board of Elections–the defendant in the city’s lawsuit—is going to ask the court to dismiss the lawsuit, arguing “there was always a question as to whether we were the correct party in the suit.”
Rhino’s John Hammer adds “from a layman’s perspective it is hard to see how the Board of Elections can be sued for something it didn’t do and has no power to remedy.”
You would think a judge would see it the same way.
