A lawsuit against the state over changes to Greensboro's City Council is moving forward. The trial is tentatively set for the summer and there are new allegations in the case.
The lawsuit was filed by the city of Greensboro and a group of residents to stop a state law that restructures the City Council and redraws voting districts. They say it's unconstitutional and takes away local control.
A new amendment to the suit claims that race was a key factor when the state drew some of the district lines. A new plaintiff, a resident who lives in one of the districts, was also added to the list.
Joe Killian, a reporter with the Greensboro News and Record says the trial's outcome could have implications for local governments across the country.
“Ultimately, this federal case is going to be a federal case that decides just how far is too far in terms of the state reaching into local governments and states making the decisions for them,” says Killian.
The General Assembly has since added new language to the bill. It says Greensboro can change its own lines — but not until after the 2020 census.
The city says taking away a right, even temporarily, is still losing it.
The trial date is scheduled for August 22.
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