RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republican legislators want to delay the date for this year's primary, which has already been pushed back two months by the state Supreme Court.
GOP leaders on Monday announced plans for the General Assembly to vote Wednesday on a bill that would push the May 17 primary to June 7. The legislation could also eliminate primary runoffs this year.
They say they are worried about the timing to redraw legislative or congressional districts should the Supreme Court soon strike down lines.
The primary was supposed to be March 8, but the state's highest court delayed it so redistricting litigation could be heard. The court announced on Friday it will hold a virtual hearing in the morning hours of Feb. 2.
A panel of North Carolina judges recently voted to let the Republican-drawn legislative and congressional maps stand.
WCNC Charlotte received a statement from Jordan Monaghan, press secretary for Gov. Roy Cooper, on Tuesday, Jan. 18 about the pending vote. You can read the statement below:
“The three-judge panel during the trial has already found as fact that the maps drawn by Republicans are intentional, partisan gerrymanders. The Supreme Court will determine the constitutionality of these districts and legislators should avoid additional attempts to undermine the voting process.”
Flashpoint is a weekly in-depth look at politics in Charlotte, North Carolina, South Carolina, and beyond with host Ben Thompson. Listen to the podcast weekly.
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