North State Journal: “North Carolina trial judges have dismissed a lawsuit challenging redrawn legislative and congressional district lines on the argument that they run afoul of an indirect constitutional right to “fair elections.” The judges said a recent affirmation still applies — that redistricting policy decisions are left to the General Assembly, not the courts.
In an order released last Friday, the panel of three Superior Court judges threw out the complaint filed in January by several voters who attempted to block enforcement of redistricting that they said creates outsized preferences that favor one side — in this case benefitting Republicans.
In a 2023 ruling by the state Supreme Court, the GOP majority said the judiciary lacked authority to declare redistricting maps as illegal partisan gerrymanders. They also said redistricting was a political matter the judicial branch must stay out of, save for challenges on specific limitations.”