Judges Hear Arguments in Redistricting Case

Judges heard more than three hours' worth of arguments yesterday over litigation challenging newly drawn congressional and legislative maps.

Jessica Jones: A panel of three judges listened to lawyers' arguments in a hearing held at Campbell Law School yesterday. They were sparring over the state's request to dismiss lawsuits filed by Democratic officials, voters and advocacy groups alleging the newly drawn maps are unconstitutional. Anita Earls is an attorney for the NAACP, one of the plaintiffs. She told judges the maps are gerrymandered and will confuse voters when it comes time to go to the polls. But Special Deputy Attorney General Alec Peters says lawmakers have drawn the new boundaries legally and fairly. The judges did not make a decision. Another hearing is scheduled for January twentieth.