A three-judge state panel has ruled unanimously in favor of legislative and congressional district boundaries drawn by North Carolina Republicans in 2011. Democratic voters and civil rights groups sued, arguing the lines were racially biased. The Superior Court judges ruled today that the boundaries do not impair the constitutional rights of North Carolina citizens.
Republican Senator Bob Rucho of Matthews led the redistricting effort. He says the GOP's goal was strictly to follow the law in drawing the boundaries.
"That's what we've said from day one - despite all of the opponents who have used a lot of unkind and negative comments regarding our effort - we've said that from day one," says Rucho. "All we're saying is by following the law we've fulfilled our responsibility to the people of the state –all the people of the state."
Voting district boundaries are redrawn every ten years by whichever party is in control of the North Carolina General Assembly. The results are virtually always challenged in court by the opposing side.
