NC Court Sends Gerrymandering Case Back to Lower Court, Further Delaying Voter Protections

Washington, DC and Raleigh, NC – Today the Supreme Court sent Rucho v. League of Women Voters of NC — a case challenging North Carolina’s remedial congressional map—back to the U.S District court for further consideration in light of the recent Gill v. Whitford decision. In Gill, the court sent the case back to the lower court requiring plaintiffs to show concrete and particularized harm.  

“The Supreme Court decision is yet another delay in providing voters clarity around their fundamental right and is particularly disappointing with the upcoming election cycle,” said Chris Carson, president of the League of Women Voters of the United States. “Partisan gerrymandering continues to distort and undermine our representative democracy, the Court’s ongoing hesitation to tackle this important issue is disheartening.” 

The League of Women Voters of North Carolina was a plaintiff in Rucho v. League of Women Voters of NC which was combined with Common Cause v. Rucho. The League filed the original challenge in September 2016 and in an emergency brief in this case urged the court to hold off on deciding this case until resolution of Gill v. Whitford.  

"The League of Women Voters of North Carolina will continue to fight for voters all across the state to ensure their voices can be heard," said Janet Hoy, co-president of the League of Women Voters of North Carolina. "We are confident that we can satisfy the questions about standing and ultimately have this case heard before the U.S. Supreme Court in time for fair districts to be in place for the 2020 election."

“Partisan gerrymandering is a problem, it is wrong, and the League of Women Voters will continue to fight for equal representation through fair maps that furthers democracy by empowering voters,” said Carson. 

Contact: Sarah Courtney | 202-263-1332 | [email protected]