Congresswoman Deborah Ross, Congresswoman Valerie Foushee, Congressman Wiley Nickel, Senate Minority Whip Jay Chaudhuri, and North Carolina Democratic Party Chair Anderson Clayton held a press conference following the North Carolina Supreme Court’s rehearing of Harper v. Hall.

The new Republican court’s unprecedented decision to rehear the case – which reaffirmed the court’s decision to redraw election maps – came not even two months after they were handed down by the previous Democratic majority and threatens the integrity of the judicial branch. Reversing these cases would silence the voices of thousands of voters and jeopardize our democracy.

“From the local to the national level, North Carolina Democrats are standing up against this appalling display of partisanship from what is supposed to be an independent judiciary and standing strong in the fight to protect our democracy,” said NCDP Chair Anderson Clayton.

“I just left the courtroom where I heard arguments presented by both sides. I remain more certain than ever that Republicans have one goal here – to enact gerrymandered maps that bolster their political interests and silence the voices of North Carolina voters,” said NC-02 Congresswoman Deborah Ross.

“We cannot have a functional democracy if voters are being silenced before they arrive at the ballot box. Voting rights is the cornerstone of our democracy and we must never give up the fight to protect our right to vote and expand and ensure access to the ballot,” said NC-04 Congresswoman Valerie Foushee.

“Unfortunately, what we saw today from the NOrth Carolina Supreme Court is a continuation of what we have come to expect from this partisan court – a standard that the people of North Carolina are sick about. The decision to rehear Harper v. Hall and Holmes v. Moore is nothing more than a partisan power grab to benefit those in control,” said NC-13 Congressman Wiley Nickel.

“The facts and law of these cases didn’t change from three months ago. Only the court’s composition changed. It’s critical that our citizens view the judicial branch as independent and impartial, view our justices as not simply politicians in robes, and trust our courts,” said Senate Minority Whip Jay Chaudhuri.