This archive report was first published on 18 September 2019.
On September 3, 2019, a North Carolina state court ruled that the state's legislative maps were unconstitutional, citing 'surgical precision' to maintain Republican control. The court's decision was a major blow to Republicans, who control the Legislature in one of the nation's most divided states.
Following the court's order, state legislators approved new electoral maps, drawn under a directive to ignore partisan considerations. However, some experts say the new maps still give Republicans a slight edge.
Republican legislators dismissed early assessments as 'sour grapes,' claiming Democrats sought a 'Democratic judicial gerrymander' to ensure a majority. State Senate Leader Phil Berger said, 'It's not about fair maps, and never has been.'
A preliminary analysis by PlanScore, a nonpartisan group, suggested the new maps were an improvement over their predecessors. However, the analysis did not account for the advantages of incumbency, which some Democrats argue is a significant factor.
Many legal experts anticipate a spate of similar lawsuits in state courts across the country. In January 2018, Pennsylvania's Supreme Court struck down the state's congressional map, citing provisions of its Constitution.
North Carolina's new maps were drawn in public, meeting a court requirement. Leaders of both parties called the process the most transparent in state history. However, critics argue that the maps still favor Republicans, particularly in the House, where Democrats were 'double-bunked' in the same districts.
