(ABC11) In massive victories for Republicans, North Carolina’s state Supreme Court on Friday threw out previous rulings that had declared illegal both redistricting maps for excessive partisanship and a Voter ID law for being infected with racial bias.
The new edition of the court, which became a Republican majority this year following the election of two GOP justices, ruled after taking the unusual step of revisiting opinions made in December by the court’s previous iteration when Democrats held a 4-3 seat advantage. The court held hearings in March.
The 5-2 decision likely means that a photo ID mandate approved by the GOP-controlled legislature in late 2018 will be enforced for the 2024 elections. Legislators also should have greater latitude in drawing legislative seat boundaries for the next decade that will reinforce their General Assembly majorities and assist them in winning more seats within the state’s congressional delegation.
Some voting right advocates did not applaud the ruling.
“I think it’s a horrible decision for the people of North Carolina. Essentially legalizing partisan gerrymandering, which is just so detrimental to democracy, said Bob Phillips, the executive director of Common Cause NC, a nonprofit organization that aims to protect voters’ rights in the state.
Phillips called the three decisions “three strikes” against democracy.
He said the reversal of the Voter ID court decision decreases access to voting.
“Voting should not be a partisan issue and things that are barriers to voting are wrong. And we worry about a narrowly drawn voter I.D.,” Phillips expressed. ” And the idea that people who served their time in prison and have paid their debt to society should be held back as we are trying to and incorporate them back into society is also a real harm. “
The court on Friday also overturned a trial court decision on when the voting rights of convicted felons can be restored. That means potentially tens of thousands of people convicted of felonies will have to keep waiting to complete probation, parole or pay their fines to qualify to vote again.
Michael Whatley, the NCGOP Chairman, applauded the moves from the NC Supreme Court.
“This is a great day for North Carolina. It is a great day for the rule of law. The North Carolina Supreme Court has reinstated the proper balance in the courts and the legislature,” he said. “I think this is great for our elections and it’s going to be great for our state.”
He said the rulings put North Carolina back in a place where the state wanted and needed to be.
“I don’t think that that is a threat to democracy in any way. I think that we want to make sure that it is easy to vote and hard to cheat in North Carolina,” Whately said.
Partisan gerrymandering
North Carolina Supreme Court also ruled that GOP-drawn voting maps should not have been declared illegal.
