Redistricting

North Carolina’s Supreme Court has heard more arguments in the state’s recent divisive round of redistricting.

This midterm is a crucial one for North Carolina, and for Congress. Due to population growth, the state gained a 14th seat this year, which is situated in Mecklenburg County. There are also no incumbents in races for the 13th, 11th, 4th and 1st districts.

In another remapping decision along partisan leanings, the North Carolina Supreme Court has agreed to speed up arguments on further challenges to the boundaries for the state's legislative seats and congressional districts.

The justices will consider whether state courts, finding violations of their state constitutions, can order changes to federal elections and the once-a-decade redrawing of congressional districts. The case probably will be argued in the fall.

The high court will consider whether to hear arguments over the conservative "independent state legislature" theory.

The renewed effort is not expected to change maps for the current election cycle. The justices allowed North Carolina to use maps approved by state courts in 2022 as litigation continues.

The N.C. Watchdog Reporting Network sought public records about redistricting from legislators and their staff. Some failed to live up to the promise of the transparency law.

The Supreme Court denied Republican lawmakers' request to block use of a Congressional district map for 2022 - so close to the primaries.

The justices are allowing maps selected by the N.C. Supreme Court to be in effect for the 2022 elections. The map most likely will give Democrats an additional House seat in 2023.

In cases from North Carolina and Pennsylvania, Republican state legislatures sought to block decisions issued by state supreme courts based on the states' respective constitutions.