RALEIGH, (SGRToday.com) - Sen. Dan Blue, Jr. the Democratic Leader in the state's upper chamber, released the following statement about the ongoing legal battle over the state's election maps.

The U.S. Supreme Court has given plaintiffs in the challenge to the maps until Tuesday to make their case that the high court should not stay a federal court order to prevent use of the congressional maps in Districts 1 and 12.

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Democratic Leaders Call for Action in Redistricting Ruling
 
Raleigh, NC – State Democratic leaders are calling for swift action in the long drawn out battle over redistricting maps.
 
A three-judge panel determined Friday that the 2011 revisions to Congressional Districts 1 and 12 are invalid, citing evidence that the revised district maps are unconstitutional.
 
The decision prohibits elections in these congressional districts until state lawmakers revise the district maps to eliminate racial gerrymandering. Both congressional district races are on the March 15 primary ballot.
 
“The voters of North Carolina have waited for five years for the right to be heard – both at the judicial level and at the polls,” said Senate Democratic Leader Dan Blue (D-Wake). “We applaud the federal court panel’s decision as a crucial first step in ensuring that every individual’s right to vote is protected.”
 
The state filed a motion Monday afternoon to appeal the decision, with Republican leaders arguing that the decision comes too close to the March primary. Republican lawmakers decided late last year to move the primary elections from May to March while the court decision was still pending.
 
“This upheaval is one of the Republican Party’s own making,” said Blue. “Voters shouldn’t have to endure another election cycle under terms that clearly violate their constitutional rights.”
 
The plaintiffs in the case echoed the Democratic Senate leader’s remarks, stating in a written opposition filed with the court on Tuesday, “Plaintiffs — and every voter in North Carolina —have already been subjected to two elections under the unconstitutional enacted plan …The Court should reject Defendants’ motion so that the voters of North Carolina can — for the first time since 2010 — vote under a constitutional congressional districting plan.”