From the desk of Senator Joyce Waddell

Congressional Map to Remain the Same

Joyce Waddell

CHARLOTTE, NC - The U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina delivered a ruling on Tuesday, September 4, 2018 by a three-judge panel agreeing that the congressional map will remain the same for the November elections. The panel ruled in favor of a brief filed Friday, August 31st by the plaintiff, Common Cause and the League of Women Voters of North Carolina, stating that attempting to redraw districts would be “disruptive and potentially counterproductive”.

The three-judge panel suggested earlier last week that North Carolina might delay its congressional elections so the map could be redrawn. The panel has found this map drawn in earlier rulings to elect Republicans deliberately representing a partisan gerrymander which is illegal and unconstitutional.

November ballots needed to be finalized before the September 22nd federal deadline for absentee ballots. The panel requested for briefs to be filed Thursday, September 6th by both plaintiff and defendant, Republican legislators, for suggestions moving forward in determining whether North Carolina’s congressional map will be redrawn before the 2020 elections. In particular, the authority to redraw the maps petitioned by the defendants to remain the responsibility of the General Assembly. The plaintiffs are urging for an independent commission to ensure that the constitutional rights of voters are not violated.

“Efforts to eliminate confusion and make certain that voter’s rights are protected should be prioritized after elections to resolve the continued gerrymandering in North Carolina,” said Senator Joyce Waddell.