Initially, the Court ruled that the state’s legislative and congressional maps were partisan gerrymanders in violation of the state constitution. After two new justices joined the Court, the legislative defendants asked the Court to rehear the case and the Court granted that request. Ultimately, the Court ruled that partisan gerrymandering claims present a political question that is nonjusticiable under the North Carolina Constitution.
Note: The Brennan Center for Justice, which maintains State Court Report, filed an amicus brief in this case. The brief was rejected by the Court along with a proposed amicus brief from the Governor and Attorney General.
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