North Carolina Sued Over Redrawn State Senate Map

Black voters allege new map violates Voting Rights Act, dilutes their voting power

Two Black voters in North Carolina have filed a lawsuit against the state, alleging that the newly redrawn state Senate district map violates Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act.
The plaintiffs argue that the new map unfairly dilutes the voting power of Black residents and deprives them of the opportunity to elect their preferred candidates.
The lawsuit requests that no future elections be conducted under the current lines and calls for a remedial plan to include a minority opportunity district in North Carolina’s 'Black Belt' counties.
The Republican-controlled General Assembly adopted the Senate plan last month, which critics argue unfairly favors Republican candidates and does not take into account voter population data based on race.
The lawsuit comes as a federal appeals court issued a ruling that could threaten the strength of Section 2 under the Voting Rights Act in Arkansas, limiting who can make court challenges on whether or not someone's voting rights have been infringed upon.