RALEIGH (AP) — Judges considering arguments in North Carolina’s redistricting litigation have refused a request by attorneys who sued over legislative and congressional district boundaries to file more briefs after the U.S. Supreme Court decisions this week.
A three-judge panel on Friday denied a motion by Democratic voters, election watchdog and civil rights groups who have challenged the maps Republicans drew in 2011. One of the Democrats’ lawyers said Supreme Court opinions on the Voting Rights Act and affirmative action confirm their claims that the lines are the result of racial gerrymandering.
The judges said they do not need more briefs but acknowledged the Supreme Court decisions.
The state judges have received thousands of documents from attorneys and held days of hearings, but have not yet ruled whether the boundaries should be redrawn.