Three-judge panel sets hearing to decide timeline, special election in racial gerrymandering case

A federal three-judge panel has set a July 27 hearing to consider a timeline for North Carolina lawmakers to redraw unconstitutionally racially gerrymandered maps.

The panel will also consider ordering special elections as a remedy to the constitutional violation, according to the order issued late Thursday night.

The U.S. Supreme Court affirmed the lower court’s ruling that 28 State House and Senate districts were illegally racially gerrymandered in North Carolina v. Covington. It sent back the remedial order for special elections to be reconsidered.

The three-judge panel at the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina said in the Thursday order that it would consider all briefs and evidence submitted and gave a July 21 deadline for any other documents filed.

The hearing is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. in Greensboro. Each party in the case will be given 90 minutes to present testimony and may call witnesses. If a party chooses to call witnesses, their identities have to be disclosed by July 21.