North Carolina plan not precleared, but close
Federal attorneys said Friday they only have a couple of questions about North Carolina's legislative districts, a sign that the plans may be approved in time for a primary now set for July.
The U.S. Department of Justice, writing to a three-judge federal panel in Washington, said the state's latest House and Senate maps don't appear to have been designed to reduce the political power of minority voters.
The attorneys also aren't worried that black residents may be worse off compared to maps approved in 2002, except in two legislative districts, both covering several northeastern counties. ...
Senate leader Marc Basnight, D-Dare, said late Friday the filing shows the federal government "has no overall objections to our maps." But a Senate Republican who believes the maps are retrogressive had a different take.
"It sounds like ... they are not convinced the maps complies with the Voting Rights Act," said Sen. Phil Berger, R-Rockingham. "If they were convinced, they would clear them." -- U.S. attorneys say they have a few questions about N.C. maps (AP)