N. Carolina justices won’t step aside in redistricting case
2 years, 10 months ago

N. Carolina justices won’t step aside in redistricting case

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Three North Carolina Supreme Court justices said Monday they won’t step aside from hearing a blockbuster redistricting case this week, rejecting requests from lawyers covering both sides of the litigation to recuse themselves. Earls, whose written explanation went nine pages, said “I have subjectively determined that I can and will be fair and impartial in carry out my duties in this case.” She said that three of the concerns that the lawyers for Republican lawyers brought up were raised in a previous recusal motion in a 2019 redistricting case and that was denied by the court. The latest recusal motion mentioned connections between Earls’ candidacy and a national Democratic redistricting group led by former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who endorsed her in 2018. “The entities contributing to my 2018 campaign are not parties to this lawsuit,” she wrote, As for her professional association with Southern Coalition lawyer Allison Riggs, Earls wrote that it’s now been years since she’s worked with her, and thus the previous association “therefore is not disqualifying.” Ervin wrote that he failed to see how the court’s past or future rulings in the redistricting lawsuits would impact his ability to obtain reelection to the court in November.

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History of this topic

Trailing North Carolina Supreme Court candidate asks that court to get involved in his race
6 days, 16 hours ago

Trailing North Carolina Supreme Court candidate asks that court to get involved in his race

Politico  

But Griffin went to the Supreme Court instead and asked the justices to rule by this coming Monday on his request to prevent a certificate from being issued to Riggs and to suspend the 10-day deadline to file an appeal in Wake County court. Five Republicans are on the seven-member Supreme Court, which has been a partisan flash point in …

The legal fray builds in a very close North Carolina Supreme Court election
2 weeks, 3 days ago

The legal fray builds in a very close North Carolina Supreme Court election

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Democratic Party sued on Friday to block the potential removal of tens of thousands of ballots tallied in an extremely close state Supreme Court race, saying state election officials would be violating federal law if they sided with protests initiated by the trailing Republican candidate. The lawsuit filed in Raleigh federal court comes as …

North Carolina GOP Files Ethics Complaint Over Description of Its Abortion Views
1 month, 4 weeks ago

North Carolina GOP Files Ethics Complaint Over Description of Its Abortion Views

Slate  

Three Republicans in the North Carolina Legislature have filed an ethics complaint against state Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs, a former civil rights lawyer who is running for reelection. Yet Riggs’ opponent, Judge Jefferson Griffin of the North Carolina Court of Appeals, had an attack ad ready to go referencing the “investigation” almost as soon as the ethics complaint was …

Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican
4 months, 3 weeks ago

Voting group asks S. Carolina court to order redraw of US House districts that lean too Republican

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A group that works to protect and expand voting rights is asking South Carolina’s highest court to order lawmakers to redraw the state’s U.S. House districts because they lean too far Republican. South Carolina’s congressional map was upheld two months ago in a 6-3 U.S. Supreme Court decision that said the state General Assembly did not use …

Supreme Court OKs shift of Black voters to shore up GOP congressional district
7 months ago

Supreme Court OKs shift of Black voters to shore up GOP congressional district

LA Times  

At issue in the South Carolina case was a congressional district in the Charleston area held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. The Supreme Court ruled Thursday that a state’s mapmakers may shift tens of thousands of Black voters to a different district if they were seeking to shore up a partisan advantage for a Republican candidate. In a 6-3 decision, …

Federal judges sound hesitant to overturn ruling on North Carolina Senate redistricting
10 months, 1 week ago

Federal judges sound hesitant to overturn ruling on North Carolina Senate redistricting

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — An appeals court on Thursday weighed a plea to halt the use of two new North Carolina state Senate districts starting this year on arguments the boundaries approved by the Republican-controlled legislature illegally weaken the ability of Black voters in a large region to elect their favored candidate. Circuit Court of Appeals that heard oral arguments sounded …

North Carolina redistricting lawsuit tries `fair` election claim to overturn GOP lines
10 months, 3 weeks ago

North Carolina redistricting lawsuit tries `fair` election claim to overturn GOP lines

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Another lawsuit challenging North Carolina district lines for Congress and the legislature to be used starting this year seeks a new legal route to strike down maps when critics say they’ve been manipulated for political gain. Nearly a dozen voters are plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed Wednesday in Wake County Superior Court that asks judges to declare …

New North Carolina congressional districts challenged in federal court on racial bias claims
1 year ago

New North Carolina congressional districts challenged in federal court on racial bias claims

Associated Press  

N.C. — North Carolina Black and Latino voters sued in federal court on Monday seeking to strike down congressional districts drawn this fall by Republican state legislators that they argue weaken minority voting power in violation of the U.S. Constitution. The lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in central North Carolina challenges four districts where the plaintiffs contend GOP leaders …

North Carolina trial judges block election board changes made by Republican legislature
1 year ago

North Carolina trial judges block election board changes made by Republican legislature

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina trial judges on Thursday blocked portions of a new law that would transfer Democratic Gov. The new law, which went into effect after Republican lawmakers overrode Cooper’s veto, would increase the board to eight members appointed by the General Assembly based on the recommendations of top legislative leaders from both parties. A spokesperson for Senate …

The Supreme Court signals support for a Republican-leaning congressional district in South Carolina
1 year, 2 months ago

The Supreme Court signals support for a Republican-leaning congressional district in South Carolina

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed likely to preserve the Republican hold on a South Carolina congressional district against a claim that it treats Black voters unfairly. The court’s six conservative justices signaled skepticism with a lower court ruling that ordered South Carolina to redraw a coastal district that is held by Republican Rep. Nancy Mace. Kavanaugh and …

Liberals fight Republican attempt to boot Wisconsin Supreme Court justice from redistricting case
1 year, 3 months ago

Liberals fight Republican attempt to boot Wisconsin Supreme Court justice from redistricting case

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — Liberals argued in a legal filing this week that Republicans were trying to nullify the election of a Democratic-backed Wisconsin Supreme Court justice by asking her to recuse herself from hearing redistricting lawsuits that could result in drawing new legislative electoral maps. Attorneys in two separate redistricting cases filed arguments Tuesday objecting to the Republican-controlled Legislature’s request …

State Republicans Try to Remove Top Jurist for Mentioning the Existence of Racial Bias
54 years, 11 months ago

State Republicans Try to Remove Top Jurist for Mentioning the Existence of Racial Bias

Slate  

On Tuesday, it was reported that North Carolina Supreme Court Justice Anita Earls could be ousted from her seat for judicial ethics violations. She went out of her way to say she didn’t think that this was the result of conscious bias, but “we all have implicit biases.” Earls also criticized decisions by Chief Justice Paul Newby, a Republican, to …

John Roberts Has Wrested Back Control of the Supreme Court
1 year, 5 months ago

John Roberts Has Wrested Back Control of the Supreme Court

Slate  

This is part of Opinionpalooza, Slate’s coverage of the major decisions from the Supreme Court this June. So it was with Moore v. Harper, Roberts’ 6–3 decision on Tuesday rejecting the “independent state legislature” theory devised to subvert voting rights. That’s unsurprising, Roberts noted, since legislatures are “mere creatures of the state constitutions, and cannot be greater than their creators.” …

Supreme Court rejects GOP in North Carolina case that could have reshaped elections beyond the state
1 year, 5 months ago

Supreme Court rejects GOP in North Carolina case that could have reshaped elections beyond the state

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court ruled Tuesday that state courts can curtail the actions of their legislatures when it comes to federal redistricting and elections, rejecting arguments by North Carolina Republicans that could have dramatically altered races for Congress and president in that state and beyond. The practical effect of Tuesday’s decision is minimal in North Carolina, where the state …

Three Cases in North Carolina, Decades of Democracy Undone
1 year, 7 months ago

Three Cases in North Carolina, Decades of Democracy Undone

Slate  

I’m not certain North Carolina has become the most anti-democratic state in the union. Justice Anita Earls thundered in dissent that the ruling “stripped” North Carolina voters of the right to choose their elected officials and “demolished the Court’s standing as an independent check on the excesses of the other two branches of government.” But Newby wasn’t going to let …

N. Carolina justices hand GOP big wins with election rulings
1 year, 7 months ago

N. Carolina justices hand GOP big wins with election rulings

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — In massive victories for Republicans, the newly GOP-controlled North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday threw out a previous ruling against gerrymandered voting maps and upheld a photo voter identification law that colleagues had struck down as racially biased. Former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, who leads a national Democratic group whose affiliate helped support the redistricting litigation, …

N. Carolina justices quickly revisit redistricting, voter ID
1 year, 9 months ago

N. Carolina justices quickly revisit redistricting, voter ID

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Supreme Court is revisiting this week whether a previous combination of justices got it wrong three months ago when declaring that the legislature produced illegal district lines tainted by excess partisanship and a photo voter identification law infected with racial bias. Senate leader Phil Berger, a named defendant in both cases, argues that actions …

North Carolina Supreme Court to revisit school funding
1 year, 9 months ago

North Carolina Supreme Court to revisit school funding

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A ruling by the North Carolina Supreme Court on Friday siding with the state controller means the court will revisit a school funding case in which an earlier lineup of justices issued a landmark opinion just four months ago. The Supreme Court upheld Lee’s ruling in a 4-3 decision in November, saying the state constitution’s declaration addressing …

N. Carolina Supreme Court to rehear voter ID, redistricting
1 year, 10 months ago

N. Carolina Supreme Court to rehear voter ID, redistricting

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The new Republican majority on North Carolina’s Supreme Court agreed on Friday to rehear redistricting and voter identification cases less than two months after the court’s previous edition, led by Democrats, issued major opinions going against GOP legislators who had been sued. Rather, the court said a case can be reheard “if the petitioner makes a satisfactory …

Group: N.C. request for redistricting rehearing ‘frivolous’
1 year, 10 months ago

Group: N.C. request for redistricting rehearing ‘frivolous’

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — An advocacy group that sued over redistricting lines in North Carolina told state Supreme Court justices Monday that previous rulings that blocked legislative and congressional district maps as illegal partisan gerrymanders should be left intact. Common Cause filed a response to Republican General Assembly leaders’ request earlier this month that the state’s highest court rehear redistricting lawsuits. …

Justices skeptical of elections case that could alter voting
2 years ago

Justices skeptical of elections case that could alter voting

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — The Supreme Court on Wednesday seemed skeptical of making a broad ruling that would leave state legislatures virtually unchecked in making rules for congressional and presidential elections. Republicans from North Carolina who brought the case to the high court argue that a provision of the U.S. Constitution known as the elections clause gives state lawmakers virtually total control …

Republicans retake control of North Carolina Supreme Court
2 years, 1 month ago

Republicans retake control of North Carolina Supreme Court

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two Republicans running for seats on the North Carolina Supreme Court beat their Democratic opponents Tuesday, flipping the partisan makeup of the high court in Republicans’ favor for the first time since 2016. “I’m honored and humbled to have been elected to the NC Supreme Court by the people of this great state,” Allen wrote in a …

High stakes in N. Carolina court races with majority on line
2 years, 1 month ago

High stakes in N. Carolina court races with majority on line

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The two North Carolina Supreme Court seats up for election in November have taken on extra significance as the outcome could flip the court’s partisan makeup during a period of political polarization. Ervin, the grandson of late Watergate committee chairman Sen. Sam Ervin Jr., said he’s already met that standard during his appellate career, calling himself “pretty …

The Biggest Judicial Races in the Country Are in North Carolina. Democrats Are Losing.
2 years, 2 months ago

The Biggest Judicial Races in the Country Are in North Carolina. Democrats Are Losing.

Slate  

North Carolina voters will soon decide whether their state constitution will be defined by a slim Democratic majority that has broadened civil rights or by a new conservative majority that will narrowly interpret the rights of voters, criminal defendants, and people seeking abortion care. In recent North Carolina Supreme Court elections, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee and the state Democratic …

Criticism over latest NC redistricting back at Supreme Court
2 years, 2 months ago

Criticism over latest NC redistricting back at Supreme Court

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s Supreme Court returned to the state’s recent divisive round of redistricting on Tuesday, as justices heard further challenges to General Assembly and congressional district lines getting used for next month’s elections. In a 4-3 decision, the court’s Democratic justices declared that partisan gerrymandering violates the state constitution and that the congressional and legislative lines approved …

Court rejects GOP redistricting plans in NC, Pennsylvania
2 years, 9 months ago

Court rejects GOP redistricting plans in NC, Pennsylvania

Associated Press  

WASHINGTON — In a victory for Democrats, the Supreme Court has turned away efforts from Republicans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to block state court-ordered congressional districting plans. In separate orders late Monday, the justices are allowing maps selected by each state’s Supreme Court to be in effect for the 2022 elections. The justices provided no explanation for their actions, …

Supreme Court rejects GOP redistricting pleas in North Carolina and Pennsylvania
2 years, 9 months ago

Supreme Court rejects GOP redistricting pleas in North Carolina and Pennsylvania

LA Times  

The Supreme Court turned away efforts from Republicans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to block court-ordered congressional districting plans. In a victory for Democrats, the Supreme Court has turned away efforts from Republicans in North Carolina and Pennsylvania to block state court-ordered congressional districting plans. California News Analysis: California’s political redistricting was all about defining a ‘community’ Californians who believe …

New NC districts backed by judges; candidate filing resuming
2 years, 10 months ago

New NC districts backed by judges; candidate filing resuming

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — Candidate filing in North Carolina will resume Thursday as scheduled, as the state Supreme Court refused late Wednesday to delay the use of redistricting maps endorsed by trial judges earlier in the day. Within two weeks, the General Assembly approved new congressional and legislative districts they say complied with the Supreme Court’s demands for partisan fairness and …

North Carolina Supreme Court strikes down redistricting maps
2 years, 10 months ago

North Carolina Supreme Court strikes down redistricting maps

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A divided North Carolina Supreme Court struck down the state’s new maps for congressional and General Assembly seats Friday, declaring that state courts had authority to throw out lines engineered to secure a long-term Republican advantage in an otherwise closely divided state. The court’s decision reversed a ruling last month from a panel of three trial judges …

Judges let North Carolina GOP redistricting plans stand
2 years, 11 months ago

Judges let North Carolina GOP redistricting plans stand

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina judicial panel refused Tuesday to throw out redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, rejecting arguments that the lines were illegal because they were politically stacked for the GOP. “Despite our disdain for having to deal with issues that potentially lead to results incompatible with democratic principles and subject our state to ridicule, …

South Carolina Republicans want judge off redistricting case
2 years, 11 months ago

South Carolina Republicans want judge off redistricting case

Associated Press  

COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina Republican legislative leaders want to toss a judge from a lawsuit over redistricting plans, arguing in papers filed Thursday that the jurist can’t fairly consider the case in part because of prior legal work on such cases. Prior to his appointment to the federal bench, U.S. District Court Judge Richard Gergel was lead counsel on …

NC redistricting trial concludes; ruling coming within days
2 years, 11 months ago

NC redistricting trial concludes; ruling coming within days

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A rapid trial over North Carolina’s new congressional and legislative districts concluded Thursday with closing arguments over whether the boundaries contain unlawful gerrymanders that should be replaced for upcoming elections. “This kind of extreme partisan gerrymandering is an assault on the most basic principles of representative democracy, is fundamentally unfair, and it violates the North Carolina Constitution,” …

NC’s top court halts March primary due to remapping suits
3 years ago

NC’s top court halts March primary due to remapping suits

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina’s highest court on Wednesday pushed back the March election primaries for legislative, congressional and judicial seats to give state courts time to review lawsuits claiming the Republican-controlled legislature illegally gerrymandered some districts. “The court didn’t even articulate a legal or factual basis for suspending elections,” said GOP state Rep. Ralph Hise, one of the lawsuits’ …

North Carolina court delays, then restores candidate filing
3 years ago

North Carolina court delays, then restores candidate filing

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — The start of North Carolina candidate filing for U.S. House and legislative seats was blocked on Monday by an appeals court panel — only to be restored hours later when most Court of Appeals judges agreed they wanted to decide whether a longer filing delay was warranted. The late order means that filing will begin for the …

Justices reject rules fast-tracking redistricting lawsuits
3 years, 7 months ago

Justices reject rules fast-tracking redistricting lawsuits

Associated Press  

MADISON, Wis. — The Wisconsin Supreme Court on Friday rejected a Republican request that all state redistricting lawsuits start in the high court. Conscious of their advantage, Republican legislative leaders and allied groups, including Wisconsin Manufacturers and Commerce, the state’s largest business group, asked the court last year to draft rules that call for all redistricting challenges to begin with …

Split North Carolina appeals court retains 2 amendments
4 years, 3 months ago

Split North Carolina appeals court retains 2 amendments

Associated Press  

RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina appeals court panel overturned on Tuesday a court ruling that voided alterations to the state constitution because legislators who put referendums on the ballot were elected from racially biased districts. Collins declared the General Assembly had been “illegally constituted” at the time because it included legislators elected in 2016 from nearly 30 legislative districts …

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