SCOTUS affirmed a decision by North Carolina's top court but rejected the so-called independent state legislature theory at issue in the case. The 6-3 decision held that the elections clause 'does not insulate state legislatures from...judicial review.'
A group of Republican lawmakers from North Carolina argued that the theory barred the state's high court from setting aside congressional maps drawn by the state's legislature.The 6-3 majority decision in Moore v. Harper held that the elections clause"does not insulate state legislatures from the ordinary exercise of state judicial review."
In April, the recently formed conservative majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court overturned a previous ruling done under a Democratic-majority that disallowed partisan gerrymandering, allowing Republicans in the state to redraw the state's congressional lines in a way that heavily favored the GOP.
Proponents of the theory, which has never been embraced by the Supreme Court, argued that it supports the notion that legislatures have ultimate power under state law when it comes to setting election rules. Elias Law Group Partner Abha Khanna, the counsel of record for the Harper plaintiffs in the Moore case, called the decision a"resounding victory for free and fair elections."
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Supreme Court upholds North Carolina ruling that congressional districts violated state lawThe Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that North Carolina's top court did not overstep its bounds in striking down a congressional districting plan as excessively partisan under state law.
Read more »
Supreme Court upholds North Carolina ruling that congressional districts violated state lawThe Supreme Court on Tuesday ruled that North Carolina’s top court did not overstep its bounds in striking down a congressional districting plan as excessively partisan under state law.
Read more »
Supreme Court upholds North Carolina ruling that congressional districts violated state lawThe practical effect of the decision is minimal in that the North Carolina Supreme Court, under a new Republican majority, already has undone its redistricting ruling.
Read more »
Supreme Court declines to hear North Carolina school case on mandatory skirts for girlsThe Supreme Court declined to weigh a North Carolina charter school's defense of its dress code requiring female students to wear dresses or skirts on Monday.
Read more »
North Carolina charter school can't force girls to wear skirts, Supreme Court rulesThe Supreme Court has left in place an appellate ruling barring a North Carolina public charter school from requiring girls to wear skirts to school.
Read more »
Supreme Court rules against Republicans in North Carolina elections disputeThe justices rejected “independent state legislature theory” arguments that would restrict state court power to review certain election laws.
Read more »