FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Friday, February 4, 2022
FOR MORE INFORMATION:
James Pearce, RepresentUs State Director, 919-345-3119, jpearce@represent.us
RALEIGH, N.C. – The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned the state’s congressional and legislative voting maps Friday, ruling them unconstitutional. The Court’s reasoning was, in part, that the General Assembly’s maps diminished and diluted North Carolinians’ vote on the basis of partisan affiliation.
The legislature now has two weeks to draw new maps that comply with the state constitution.
RepresentUs State Director James Pearce released the following statement in response:
“We are grateful that the North Carolina Supreme Court gave careful consideration to the words and meaning of North Carolina’s Constitution and gave power back to the people by rejecting the blatantly unfair and unconstitutional maps enacted by the General Assembly.
“All three maps passed by legislators last fall received failing grades for partisan fairness. The maps unnecessarily gave one political party an unfair electoral advantage, sliced up communities of interest, and diluted the votes of minority voters.
“Today’s ruling is a big win for North Carolina’s democracy, but our work isn’t finished. RepresentUs will continue to serve as an independent watchdog as legislators are given yet another chance to draw maps that protect communities of interest and allow for free and fair elections in our state.
“We hope the General Assembly will give the people of North Carolina what they deserve: fair, legal maps that allow people to select their representatives, and not the other way around.”
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