Money approved for redistricting fight

2/3/2004 3:16 PM
By: Mitch Kokai & Web Staff

The state's top elected leaders steered another $100,000 toward the court fight over redistricting on Tuesday. Democrats and some Republicans have been fighting over redistricting for three years but some lawmakers hope the fight will end soon.

"This group especially understands that it is in litigation, that you've got to have lawyers to defend both sides of the issue and so they were ready to move forward,” Lt. Governor Beverly Perdue said. “I was glad to see the vote."

The money will pay a Washington law firm to help North Carolina win federal approval for new election maps.

“I think these are fair,” Rep. Ronnie Sutton (D-Robeson) said. "They're almost even, in the House especially, among Democrats and Republicans. It's just a few folks with some sour grapes that are objecting to the process.”

Some Republicans said proposed election maps violate the state constitution.

"The maps are not unconstitutional because they're bad for Republicans,” Bill Peaslee from the N.C. Republican Party said. “They're bad for Republicans because they are unconstitutional. Once we have a constitutional map, we believe you will have a fair and un-gerrymandered election."

As the court battle over redistricting continues, the state Supreme Court prepares to hear arguments in the case for a third time in three years. That hearing is scheduled March 18.

"I think the people are ready for us to really get going with what we're doing and that is the business of the state,” Rep. Marvin Lucas (D-Cumberland) said. “I'm ready to move forward and I think a lot of the legislators are also ready to move forward."

"When the Supreme Court finally takes up the issue, they will reinforce what they have said, that the state legislature has not followed the criteria they set for drawing fair and neutral districts,” Peaslee said.

Both sides can make their cases next month.

Time is running out for North Carolina to hold a May primary. The state Board of Elections could vote as soon as Monday to delay primary elections.

http://rdu.news14.com/content/headlines/?ArID=42456&SecID=2