WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last Thursday, the United States Supreme Court issued a temporary block of a lower court’s ruling that would require North Carolina lawmakers to redraw voting district boundaries.
This action likely means the maps ruled unfair by the Federal Court earlier this month will be allowed to stand for the 2018 midterm elections.
The lower court had ruled that Republicans intentionally gerrymandered maps for North Carolina’s congressional districts to favor the GOP in elections. Representative David Lewis, Co-Chair of the Redistricting Committee and Chairman of the House Rules Committee was quoted in documentation issued in the case.
Contained within the recently filed opinion is a reference from Representative Lewis, in which Lewis stated that he, “proposed that the Committee draw the maps to give a partisan advantage to 10 Republicans and three Democrats because he did not believe it would be possible to draw a map with 11 Republicans and two Democrats.”
Also contained in the ruling was a statement made by Lewis during a February 2016 debate of the redrawn maps in the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Lewis, while trying to explain his rationale in developing maps that created a partisan advantage said, “I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats. So, I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.”
Last week’s stay by the Supreme Court comes following the filing of legal briefs for and against the request for a delay. Lawyers for the GOP argued with success that the recent ruling by the lower court should be put on hold while cases of gerrymandering in Maryland and Wisconsin are reviewed.
The court granted this request with Justices Ruth Bader Ginsburg and Sonia Sotomayor dissenting. The delay is to remain in effect while the case is appealed. Due to the lengthy appeal process, it is likely that the maps will stand for the elections of 2018.
North Carolina Democratic Party Chairman Wayne Goodwin recently commented on both the Federal Court and Supreme Court rulings.
“Last week brought new hope for more fair representation for all North Carolina voters,” Goodwin stated. “While disappointing that the Supreme Court delayed new congressional maps, new state-level districts ordered by a separate set of federal judges will mean people across the state will have a fresh say in who should represent them in Raleigh.
“Democrats are committed to fighting for a better North Carolina, no matter the district lines,” Goodwin continued. “With Democrats fired up and united behind Governor Cooper and independents turned off by Republican efforts to rig the system, we’re confident we can break Republicans’ stranglehold over our politics.”
When asked for a comment on last week’s order, Senator Robert Pittenger offered his comments.
“The recent ruling by the Supreme Court to stay the decision of the three-judge panel was what many expected,” Pittenger said. “SCOTUS’ (Supreme Court of The United States) ruling is a reflection of the wisdom of our founding fathers as they drafted our Constitution with the limited role of the federal courts to interpret law, not write law.
“Throughout the legal proceedings, my focus has been on working for the hardworking people of the 9th Congressional district and I will continue to do so,” he concluded.
The Richmond Observer will continue to follow this story and provide updates as they develop.
