North Carolina Supreme Court Declares Voting Maps Unconstitutional
News
February 10, 2022
A Jenner & Block team secured a victory when the North Carolina Supreme Court declared that the General Assembly’s gerrymandered Congressional and state legislative maps were unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt and barred them from being used in future elections.
The Republican-led General Assembly gerrymandered the maps so that Republicans were likely to win 10 of the state’s 14 US House seats, as well as veto-proof supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, even if Democrats won a majority of the statewide votes. Following a trial, the court made fact findings that the maps were intentionally skewed to favor Republicans but held that there was no judicial remedy.
By a 4-3 majority, the North Carolina Supreme Court relied on the findings of fact but held that the state’s constitution provides a remedy. The legislature will have until February 18 to redraw the map to account for partisan fairness and plaintiffs in the suit will also be able to submit maps for court review and selection.
Jenner & Block has been working on redistricting cases in North Carolina and other states through its redistricting project, spearheaded by Partners Jessica Ring Amunson and Sam Hirsch. The North Carolina team is led by Partner Zachary C. Schauf, who argued the case in the North Carolina Supreme Court.
“This is a victory for fair maps, free elections, and a government that truly reflects the will of the people. As the Court recognized, the Republican legislative leaders shredded all three of those principles. Now they must start over – and get it right this time,” Mr. Schauf commented.
Other key members of the team include Partners Kali Bracey, David Bradford, Benjamin J. Bradford, Alex S. Trepp, and David M. Greenwald and Associates Karthik P. Reddy, Urja R. Mittal, and Mary E. Marshall. Senior paralegal Cheryl Olson and paralegals Thomas Scholtus Adam Weidman assisted. Many others in the firm provided important assistance, including Partners Robert R. Stauffer, David Jimenez-Ekman, and David P. Sanders; Associates Brandon J. Polcik, Huiyi Chen, Allison M. Tjemsland, and Sophia L. Cai; Department Counsel Adam M. Caldwell; senior paralegals Daniel Garcia and Theresa Busch; and paralegals Grace Liberman, Sam Rosen, and Kendall Allen.
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© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
News
February 10, 2022
A Jenner & Block team secured a victory when the North Carolina Supreme Court declared that the General Assembly’s gerrymandered Congressional and state legislative maps were unconstitutional beyond a reasonable doubt and barred them from being used in future elections.
The Republican-led General Assembly gerrymandered the maps so that Republicans were likely to win 10 of the state’s 14 US House seats, as well as veto-proof supermajorities in both houses of the state legislature, even if Democrats won a majority of the statewide votes. Following a trial, the court made fact findings that the maps were intentionally skewed to favor Republicans but held that there was no judicial remedy.
By a 4-3 majority, the North Carolina Supreme Court relied on the findings of fact but held that the state’s constitution provides a remedy. The legislature will have until February 18 to redraw the map to account for partisan fairness and plaintiffs in the suit will also be able to submit maps for court review and selection.
Jenner & Block has been working on redistricting cases in North Carolina and other states through its redistricting project, spearheaded by Partners Jessica Ring Amunson and Sam Hirsch. The North Carolina team is led by Partner Zachary C. Schauf, who argued the case in the North Carolina Supreme Court.
“This is a victory for fair maps, free elections, and a government that truly reflects the will of the people. As the Court recognized, the Republican legislative leaders shredded all three of those principles. Now they must start over – and get it right this time,” Mr. Schauf commented.
Other key members of the team include Partners Kali Bracey, David Bradford, Benjamin J. Bradford, Alex S. Trepp, and David M. Greenwald and Associates Karthik P. Reddy, Urja R. Mittal, and Mary E. Marshall. Senior paralegal Cheryl Olson and paralegals Thomas Scholtus Adam Weidman assisted. Many others in the firm provided important assistance, including Partners Robert R. Stauffer, David Jimenez-Ekman, and David P. Sanders; Associates Brandon J. Polcik, Huiyi Chen, Allison M. Tjemsland, and Sophia L. Cai; Department Counsel Adam M. Caldwell; senior paralegals Daniel Garcia and Theresa Busch; and paralegals Grace Liberman, Sam Rosen, and Kendall Allen.
Related Lawyers
Related Capabilities
Related Locations
© 2026 Jenner & Block LLP. Attorney Advertising. Jenner & Block LLP is an Illinois Limited Liability Partnership including professional corporations. This publication, presentation, or event is not intended to provide legal advice but to provide information on legal matters and/or firm news of interest to our clients and colleagues. Readers or attendees should seek specific legal advice before taking any action with respect to matters mentioned in this publication or at this event. The attorney responsible for this communication is Brent E. Kidwell, Jenner & Block LLP, 353 N. Clark Street, Chicago, IL 60654-3456. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome. Jenner & Block London LLP, an affiliate of Jenner & Block LLP, is a limited liability partnership established under the laws of the State of Delaware, USA and is authorised and regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority with SRA number 615729. Information regarding the data we collect and the rights you have over your data can be found in our Privacy Notice. For further inquiries, please contact dataprotection@jenner.com.
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