Judge tosses North Carolina mandatory voter ID amendment citing gerrymandering

[highplainsdem]

Source: The Hill

A judge in North Carolina on Friday tossed out the state's constitutional amendment requiring a voter ID, citing prevalent gerrymandering in the state's General Assembly.

Wake County Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins wrote in a ruling late Friday afternoon that the North Carolina General Assembly is so gerrymandered that its members do not truly represent the state's residents and thus should never have proposed a voter ID amendment in the first place.

“An illegally constituted General Assembly does not represent the people of North Carolina and is therefore not empowered to pass legislation that would amend the state’s constitution,” Collins wrote.

Collins also tossed out a second Republican-backed amendment implementing a cap on the state's income tax.

-snip-

Read more: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/431241-judge-tosses-north-carolina-mandatory-voter-id-law-cites

[wishstar]

1. Wow!

[appal_jack]

2. Repubs here are agog...

But to the extent that I have read excerpts of the Judge's ruling, it makes complete sense. A racially-gerrymandered legislature that used its power to draft and deceivingly describe Constitutional Amendments that further disenfranchise minority and poor voters has no legitimacy. These Amendments should be null and void.

The appeals will be fast and furious, but I hope that Wake County Superior Court Judge G. Bryan Collins' decision stands.

k&r,

-app

[littlemissmartypants]

13. It makes me think of a double jeopardy argument.

I know it's not a pure example, it just has a similar basis, at least in my shriveled mind. Good to see you!

[appal_jack]

19. I feel like we're in ninth-level jeopardy...

Good to see you too, lmsp!



-app

[littlemissmartypants]

21. Seriously! Like...

I'll take Crazytown for $8.1 billion, Alex, and I'll need to finance 70% of that...

Jokes aside...

I'm not too far from Bladen so I will be looking forward to sharpening my ground game in prep for 2020, helping out with the new primary and election.

I'm feeling hopeful. I know you know it but I'll say it anyway. Keep the faith!

[Yo_Mama_Been_Loggin]

3. Good

[elleng]

4. General Assembly is so gerrymandered that its members do not truly represent the state's residents!

[CousinIT]

5. Ooooohhhhh!

[DAMANgoldberg]

6. Finally some sense in my state.

The legislative model that is the NC GOP is so modeled after the ALGOP that they try to one-up my former state. It's nice to know that the Smackdown that the NCGOP is long deserving.

Proud to be represented by Alma Adams (NC-12), Vi Lyles (CLT Mayor), and Roy Cooper (Gov)!

[not fooled]

7. A judge tells it like it is

this applies in many other states as well.

[iluvtennis]

8. Excellent, just excellent.

[littlemissmartypants]

9. I AM SO HAPPY!!!!!

I hope this sticks. Please tell me there's no way this can be reversed. PLEASE!

[littlemissmartypants]

10. highplainsdem could you please cross post to the North Carolina group?

I would really appreciate it if you would. Thank you! ❤

[littlemissmartypants]

11. You can take a look at the dear judge's information here

https://ballotpedia.org/Bryan_Collins_(North_Carolina)

I love him even more after reading this! Check out his endorsement: North Carolina Association of Women Attorneys!


Kickety, kick, kick for Judge Collins!

[BumRushDaShow]

15. The underscores & parentheses in the link broke it

This one should go directly to his info (used bitly shortener) - https://bit.ly/2SmVjPU

Am hoping this survives up through the state Supreme Court.

[littlemissmartypants]

16. Thanks so much!

Yes, I hope so too! Thanks again! ❤

[bitterross]

12. Will it survive appeal? Which we all know is coming.

What's the make up of the NC Supreme court these days?

[mwooldri]

14. I believe the court is 6-1 Democrats to Republicans.

However if this is taken to the federal level then who knows what will happen?

[lostnfound]

17. Are there federal principles at stake?

In the event that the NC Supreme Court lets the ruling stand, would the U.S. Supreme Court opt against interfering in state court decision?

Gerrymandering itself can be seen as a violation of equal protection, but the idea of a state court overturning state laws based on illegitimacy of state legislature doesn’t seem to be a federal matter, does it?

[Historic NY]

18. Hopefully NC#9 can be claimed if Democrats seek justice for the absentee ballot fiasco..

They need to get bus's, dump trucks, horse and wagon and ever conveyance in between to get people to the polls. Forget the stupid absentee's. Get fired up and ready to go......now!!!

[onetexan]

20. just heard earlier this morning Robert Pittinger whom Harris beat in the GOP primary last year

has thrown his hat in the ring. According to this article Harris cheated in that race as well:

https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article223046755.html

"With the possibility of a new primary, Republicans across the district are quietly considering whether t"o run. Party leaders and potential candidates have exchanged texts and phone calls as they try to sort out what could be a potentially ugly contest.

Like his 905-vote victory over Democrat Dan McCready in November, Harris’ primary win over GOP incumbent Robert Pittenger is at the center of allegations of election fraud in Bladen and Robeson counties. The state board could order new elections as soon as this month, though it’s not clear when elections would be held. The board has set no hearing date."