NC Voting districts before judges

December 17, 2011

BY LYNN BONNER - lbonner@newsobserver.com


A three-judge panel tasked with deciding the fate of the state's Republican-drawn voting districts heard arguments from lawyers representing both political parties on Friday.

At issue was how quickly a lawsuit challenging the districts should go to trial, a decision that could determine whether next year's primary election stays on track.

Lawyers for those challenging the districts argued for an ambitious schedule that would have a trial beginning in early February. The tight schedule would allow enough time to have the primary on May 8 as planned, they said.

A state lawyer defending the maps said the proposed plan was unrealistic. It didn't include time for a state Supreme Court appeal, for example, or time for the legislature to redraw districts if judges found problems, said Alexander Peters, a special deputy Attorney General.

The three Superior Court judges, Paul Ridgeway of Wake, Alma Hinton of Halifax and Joseph Crosswhite of Iredell, did not announce a decision Friday.

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http://www.newsobserver.com/2011/12/17/1715766/voting-districts-before-judges.html