The Latest (12/7/21):
The start of North Carolina candidate filing for U.S. House and legislative seats was blocked by an appeals court panel. But it was restored hours later.
A three-judge panel of the intermediate level appeals court issued a ruling on Monday morning telling officials not to begin accepting candidates for those seats due to pending redistricting litigation that alleges the maps are illegal partisan gerrymanders.
But lawyers for the GOP legislators who helped draw the maps asked the entire 15-judge Court of Appeals to get involved.
A majority of those judges agreed late Monday.
For now, it means filing will begin for the General Assembly and U.S. House seats on Tuesday morning.
Original Story (12/6/21):
RALEIGH, N.C. — A North Carolina appeals court has halted for now candidate filing for U.S. House and state legislative seats while judges consider whether to block district boundaries that lawsuit filers claim are illegal partisan gerrymanders.
A Court of Appeals order directed officials not to accept candidates for those seats just before filing began at noon Monday.
Filing for other positions are continuing.
The temporary stay was sought by and granted to the plaintiffs in a lawsuit led by by the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters.
The state has until midday Thursday to respond to the league’s petition.