Future of latest NC redistricting plans before Supreme Court

North Carolina’s highest court is ready to hear arguments whether it has authority to throw out new congressional and General Assembly districts because they comfortably favor Republicans in an otherwise closely divided state. The state Supreme Court scheduled 90 minutes on Wednesday to listen to lawyers for voters and advocacy groups suing over the latest redistricting and for GOP legislative leaders who drew lines in November. A trial court last month declined to throw out the maps despite what it called evidence of intentional changes favoring the GOP. The plaintiffs argue court intervention is necessary to protect democracy. It’s unclear when the justices will rule.