Posted on 07/13/2002 6:07:17 AM PDT by carolina rebel
Last night it was announced the the U.S. Justice Dept had approved the New N.C. legislative districts. The justice dept. said the new maps did not diminish minority voting rights, and that the April State Supreme Court decision that forced the redrawing of these maps complied with federal law. This now clears he wy for the Primaries to take place in N.C. Choosing the US Senate Candidates to run in the general election, along with all state and county offices. Time to get to work in North Carolina. We must make sure that we send a Republican to the Senate!!!!
Justice Department approves North Carolina redistricting
by SCOTT MOONEYHAM, ASSOCIATED PRESS
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) -
Following a contentious redistricting process, the Justice Department on Friday approved North Carolina's redrawn legislative districts and cleared the way for long-delayed primary elections.
The government said the new maps meet the requirements of the federal Voting Rights Act, pleasing Republicans who had waged a court fight against two earlier plans. Democrats had contended the latest redistricting plan harms minority voters.
The state's primaries - including the Senate race to replace retiring Republican Jesse Helms - had been set for May 7, but was put off indefinitely by the legal wrangling.
GOP lawmakers successfully challenged redistricting plans approved by the General Assembly last fall, saying they violated the state constitution by dividing too many counties. The new maps, which affect 40 counties, were drawn by a state judge.
"It's time to put aside litigation and accept the fact that those plans are now the law and the case is over," said House Minority Leader Leo Daughtry, a Republican.
The ruling was a defeat for Democrats trying to protect their majorities in both the House and Senate.
"I am disappointed," House Speaker Jim Black said, adding that he believes the new maps raise "serious minority voting rights issues."
Lawsuits challenging the latest maps are still pending in federal court, but lawmakers are expected to move quickly to set a primary date, probably for late August or early September.(end article)
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