Supreme Court won't overturn North Carolina and Pennsylvania redistricting

Washington DC - The Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene in favor of GOP challenges to North Carolina and Pennsylvania's congressional maps – much to voting rights advocates' relief.

The Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene in two redistricting battles happening in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.
The Supreme Court on Monday declined to intervene in two redistricting battles happening in North Carolina and Pennsylvania.  © IMAGO / ZUMA Press

The Supreme Court denied requests on Monday from North Carolina and Pennsylvania Republicans seeking to overturn congressional maps already approved by state courts, NPR reported.

State courts drew the congressional lines after they found lawmakers in both states had violated state constitutional and statutory requirements in their proposals.

In North Carolina's case, Republicans essentially wanted the Supreme Court to rule that state courts would no longer be able to interpret their own state constitutions when it comes to redistricting.

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Three of the conservative justices, Samuel Alito, Clarence Thomas, and Neil Gorsuch, dissented from the majority decision, indicating that they support the GOP interpretation.

Brett Kavanaugh did not dissent but said he believes the issue should be considered at a later date.

In Pennsylvania's case, a group of Republicans said they wanted to hold statewide elections for congressional candidates – a huge change considering how quickly the midterms are approaching.

Just as in the North Carolina case, justices declined to step in for now, but that doesn't mean conservatives will stay hands off for good.

Nevertheless, voting rights advocates celebrated the decision as an important victory in the fight for fair maps.

Cover photo: IMAGO / ZUMA Press

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