U.S. Supreme Court Denies Relief in North Carolina Redistricting Ruling

In a recent 6-3 ruling, the U.S. Supreme Court rejected a claim that North Carolina legislators could alter the rules of federal elections while avoiding state court judicial review under a concept referred to as the "independent state legislature" theory. The decision preserves the ability of plaintiffs to seek relief in state court about federal election processes, including redistricting maps that determine which legislators represent particular areas. The decision means that both state and federal courts can review district maps while federal courts retain the ability to review state-court decisions interpreting state law.

Democratic elections require rules for elections that are often administered by the executive branch, after the legislative body makes the policy decisions about those rules. The role of the courts in reviewing election processes for discriminatory or unconstitutional practices remains unchanged following the ruling regarding the North Carolina districts.