The North Carolina Supreme Court overruled a previous determination Friday that had carried out a court-drawn congressional map over one designed by Republican lawmakers.
The earlier ruling reasoned that the GOP lawmakers had gerrymandered their map.
However, after Republicans took management of the state’s highest court docket, the brand new GOP-majority bench reheard the dispute in a uncommon transfer. Then it issued a call saying courts ought to keep out of the political course of.
“The courts are not designed to be thrust into the midst of various political disputes. Such engagement in policy issues forces courts to take sides in political battles and undermines public trust and confidence in the judiciary. Choosing political winners and losers creates a perception that courts are another political branch,” wrote North Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby.
“We are designed to be a government of the people, not of the judges. At its heart, this case is about recognizing the proper limits of judicial power,” he added.
North Carolina Justice Anita Earls dissented, arguing the bulk opinion manipulated rules of democracy.
The uncommon rehearing from the N.C. excessive court docket got here after the U.S. Supreme Court heard arguments in December on the identical case. Legal specialists say there’s a whole lot of uncertainty concerning the end result of one of many thorniest points earlier than the federal justices this time period, given the court docket may dismiss the case after the brand new rehearing and ruling.
At situation was the legislative district map drawn by the Republican-led North Carolina Legislature and state court docket rulings blocking the map’s use.
The Legislature advised the excessive court docket that underneath the phrases of the Constitution’s elections clause it — not state courts — ought to have the ultimate say over election modifications.
• Stephen Dinan contributed to this report.
Content Source: www.washingtontimes.com