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NC Lawmakers Refuse Remapping Session
Republican legislators in North Carolina have refused to hold a special session demanded by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper to redraw General Assembly districts, saying his proclamation is faulty and unconstitutional.
House Republicans on Thursday upheld a ruling by Speaker Tim Moore that the "extra session" was unnecessary and invalid, in part because lawmakers already are in their annual work session. That means the Thursday afternoon session Cooper wanted didn't occur. Senate Republicans rejected the special session idea as well later Thursday.
Suing Voters Seek Quick Maps, Election Decision
North Carolina voters who sued successfully to throw out nearly 30 General Assembly districts as illegal racial gerrymanders are trying to get judges to decide quickly on when new maps should be drawn and whether to hold special elections this fall in altered districts.
Lawyers for those voters filed motions Thursday in Greensboro federal court asking a three-judge panel to require legislators to draw new lines by June 22 or give them the opportunity to file their own boundaries. They also want judges to quickly begin a process to determine if new elections should be held this year under new boundaries.
Suit Seeks To Put Independents On NC Elections Board
A longtime elections attorney in North Carolina has challenged the law barring unaffiliated voters from serving on the state's new combined elections and government ethics board.
Michael Crowell of Orange County sued Wednesday in central North Carolina federal court. The law in practice requires the board's eight members be comprised of four Democrats and four Republicans.
Crowell says registered unaffiliated voters — now comprising 30 percent of the state's electorate and almost surpassing GOP registered voters — have rights to freedom of speech and association denied by being shut out of service. The lawsuit also challenges limiting county election boards to Democrats and Republicans.
Bill On Concealed-Carry Permit Clears House, Heads To Senate
North Carolina is a step closer to allowing people to carry a concealed handgun in certain places without a permit.
On a 64-51 vote, the House gave its final approval Thursday on the measure. It would allow someone at least 18 years old and not otherwise prohibited by law to carry a concealed handgun in locations where it's currently permissible to openly carry a gun.
Authorities Investigating Juror In Church's Gay Beating Case
North Carolina authorities are investigating a juror who brought unauthorized documents to jury deliberations, causing a mistrial in the case of a minister charged with beating a gay congregant.
Rutherford County Sheriff's Chief Deputy Ricky McKinney told The Associated Press on Thursday his department and the prosecutor's office are investigating the actions of 71-year-old Perry Shade Jr.
Shade's son says his father "made a mistake" and wasn't trying to derail the trial by bringing in documents, including outdated case law.
A retrial is scheduled for July.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.