Court approves newly drawn legislative maps

Redistricting Map Computrer
A computer monitor shows proposed maps during a Senate hearing on Tuesday, Sept. 17, 2019. (Robert Clark for the North State Journal)

RALEIGH — A three-judge panel on Monday approved so-called remedial maps drawn by the legislature after the same court ruled the prior maps to be an unconstitutional political gerrymander. Following the court’s first ruling, the N.C. General Assembly quickly redrew the maps that the court affirmed Monday.

In the order, the court found that the 21 Senate Districts and 56 House Districts were properly redrawn. The court said it was “satisfied that the process chosen and and implemented by both the House and Senate … comported with the procedural requirements of the Court’s Judgment.” The court further found that the the “efforts made by the General Assembly to ensure the remedial process was conducted in public view were reasonable and complied with the Court’s mandate.”

The 25-page order also found that no partisan consideration or election results data was used in the drawing of the maps.

In a joint statement, State House Redistricting Committee co-chairs Rep. Destin Hall (R-Caldwell) and Rep. David Lewis (R-Harnett) said: “We appreciate this court’s recognition that a historically transparent and bipartisan redistricting process complied with its order entirely.”