With deadlines looming, the state has stopped printing ballots for the November elections. The state's highest court paused the process over unresolved legal challenges.
Two election-related court cases remain up in the air as the NC Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement tries to get ready for the November 6 general election.
First, there's a dispute over the GOP-led legislature's attempt to put two constitutional amendments on the ballot. Their first attempt was stopped by the courts over the language used to describe the measures to voters. Even after a second special session to rework the wording, the fight goes on.
Also this week, a federal panel of judges found the state's 13 congressional districts were unconstitutionally gerrymandered, and how to fix that before polls open is unresolved.
Printing, testing and delivering ballots takes about three weeks. If you go by state law, those ballots would have to be available 60 days before the election. That would be September 7. Federal law is a little more lenient, putting the deadline at 45 days out.
The state board is looking at options to ensure federal compliance should the legal delays continue.