Federal Judge: Lawmakers Must Hand Over Documents On "Greensboro Act"

A federal judge has issued a deadline for state lawmakers to hand over information about a law that changed the makeup of Greensboro's City Council. It's part of an ongoing legal battle between the city and the state.

The case stems from a law called the Greensboro Act. It draws new voting districts for city council and strips the mayor of voting power among other things.

A federal judge prevented the law from taking effect before the 2015 election cycle.

According to the News and Record, eight Republican lawmakers and a legislative staff member were subpoenaed in February to turn over materials. Those included emails that could explain how and why the law was created. Attorneys with the state Attorney General's Office argued that the lawmakers have legislative privilege and don't need to comply.

But a U.S. district court judge says, in fact, they do. He's giving them one month to provide a list of documents they wish to withhold from the plaintiffs.

A trial on the Greensboro City Council redistricting case is expected to start in January.