State Asks For More Time In Redistricting Case

The architects of the state's electoral maps want more time to respond to a Supreme Court-imposed review. It's just the latest twist in a long-running dispute over how North Carolina's political districts are drawn.

Now the state officials responsible for drawing the maps have asked the court not to expedite the schedule, saying they need more time to prepare. They argue justices should allow at least two months to file opening briefs and replies.

Plaintiff's want the state courts to move quickly on reviewing the maps after a U.S. Supreme Court order last month that vacated the existing maps. They want to make sure that there's enough time for the maps to be redrawn if necessary before the 2016 elections.

The state's highest court will be reviewing how race was used to draw those maps. At issue is whether too many black voters were packed into too few districts.

The case has been part of a busy spring of legal and legislative maneuvers on redistricting. It included the filing of a bill in the state House that would have turned the map-making responsibilities over to a non-partisan board.

The bill had more than 60 co-sponsors, but was not included in the bills the General Assembly moved forward for consideration last week. That means the bill appears dead until at least 2017