A three-judge panel led by Wake County Superior Court Judge Paul Ridgeway was not persuaded by appeals from civil-rights groups and other liberal activists challenging the redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-led General Assembly. The panel refused, unanimously, to delay in the state’s May primary until the maps were reviewed and approved by the courts.

In his order, Ridgeway noted that campaign filing is set to begin in a few weeks, and that a delay would not allow time to redraw the maps and get approval from federal officials in time to conduct the primary on schedule. The litigation will proceed, but unless plaintiffs can win an appeal to halt the primary, it will go on as planned.

As Carolina Journal’s David Bass reported, a delay should help incumbents seeking re-election, as challengers would have less time to campaign if the primary were delayed to July or later. Unless the plaintiffs prevail on appeal, the maps will stand — for the 2012 cycle, anyway.

Stay tuned to CJ for further updates.