Supremes: Redistrict Rep. Wright's seat

ryanteaguebeckwith — Fri, 24 Aug 2007 15:03:42 -0400

The N.C. Supreme Court ruled today that the legislature must redraw Rep. Thomas Wright's district after 2008.

In Pender County vs. Bartlett, the majority opinion reversed a lower court ruling and held that House District 18 and nearby districts were not properly drawn under the state constitution.

At issue is whether a county should have its own district, or whether legislators can split up counties to create a minority district and satisfy the federal Voting Rights Act of 1965.

In the opinion, Justice Robert Edmunds Jr. noted that the legislature is not scheduled to reconvene until next May and candidates are already planning campaigns, so he postponed the deadline:

To minimize disruption to the ongoing election cycle, the remedy explained above shall be stayed until after the 2008 election.

Chief Justice Sarah Parker and Justice Patricia Timmons-Goodson dissented. Justice Robin Hudson did not participate in the decision.