Jan. 12. By Dave Vieser. A bipartisan three judge panel has unanimously ruled that the state primary may proceed with the new maps designed by the State Legislature which has a Republican majority. The panel composed of two Republicans and one Democrat stated that the process of designing the new districts was by its nature and state law a political process.
If the ruling stands the state primary will be conducted in May.
Andy Yates
Next stop: Supreme Court
However the decision which was rendered late Tuesday is likely to be appealed to the state Supreme Court which has a Democratic majority. If the Supreme Court decides to take up the appeal it is possible the 2022 primary could be further delayed.
“This decision should put an end to the legal battle over redistricting and be proof enough for everyone that our legislature followed the state constitution and state law.”said GOP consultant Andy Yates.
“However, this won’t be good enough for the plaintiffs. They are appealing hoping and praying the liberal majority on the NC Supreme Court will ignore the constitution and throw out these districts and force the legislator to draw Democrat friendly maps.”
NC Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson
NC Democratic Party Chair Bobbie Richardson said she was disappointed by the decision to uphold the maps.
“Throughout this process, I have said that voters ought to be able to select the individuals that represent them, not the other way around,” she said.
The Democratic Party is expected to appeal to the NC Supreme Court.
Impact
NC District 13 congressional candidate John Aneralla, the three-term former mayor of Huntersville, said it will be hard to justify major changes.
“We will see,” he said. Former Commissioner Karen Bentley is also running, as well as US Rep. Madison Cawthorn who is switching districts.
John Aneralla / Jason Benavides photo
The basis of the previous appeals regarding the new maps is that they are unconstitutional.
The panel said the filing period for 2022 elections will resume at 8 a.m. on Feb. 24 and continue through noon on March 4.
Stay tuned.
