Thread by @mcpli

BREAKING: State court holds that North Carolina legislative maps are partisan gerrymanders in violation of state constitution. Opinion here: brennancenter.org/sites/default/… #ncpol #fairmaps

The 357-page opinion by the three-judge panel is unanimous. #ncpol #fairmaps 2/

Court's ruling gives the North Carolina General Assembly until September 18 to redraw both the state house and state senate maps for the 2020 election. #ncpol #fairmaps 3/

Among the rules laid out by the court for the redrawing of NC legislative maps is that partisan effect cannot be considered and that existing maps are not to be used as a starting point (i.e., court orders fresh start). #ncpol #fairmaps 4/

In the mean time, the court will appoint a referee to help it in evaluating any new maps and gives parties until Friday (9/6) to propose names to be referee. #ncpol #fairmaps 5/

Also the court on its own says no stay pending appeal and reserves the right to adjust primary schedule to accommodate new maps. #ncpol #fairmaps 6/

The NC Supreme Court, of course, could grant a stay and expect Rs to ask for one soon if not by tonight. #ncpol #fairmaps 7/

Not surprisingly, the documents on the Hofeller hard drives played a big role in the court's decision. #ncpol #fairmaps 8/

The NC decision follows on a Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision in 2018 striking down that state's congressional map as a partisan gerrymander under the PA constitution. #ncpol #fairmaps 9/

The Florida Supreme Court also struck down that state’s congressional and state senate maps in 2016 using language in the redistricting reforms passed by Florida voters in 2010. #ncpol #fairmaps 10/

Needless to say, today’s ruling is a huge deal - and a reminder that the fight against partisan gerrymandering always has been and remains a multi-front war. And that on fronts other than SCOTUS, it’s a fight that going well. google.com/amp/s/www.coun… #ncpol #fairmaps 11/

Today's North Carolina partisan gerrymandering ruling, indeed, is a powerful reminder of the richness of the tools often hidden away in attics of state constitutions. The court, for example, starts with a 1776 provision that "all elections shall be free." #ncpol #fairmaps 12/

Whoa, just wow. North Carolina Republicans say they won’t appeal today’s ruling striking down NC legislative maps as partisan gerrymanders. #ncpol #fairmaps 13/