The Supreme Court of North Carolina ruled against the Republican Party’s redistricting plans for the state of North Carolina in a 4–3 vote on Friday, calling the maps, “unlawful partisan gerrymanders.” All four Democrats on the state’s highest court voted against the plan while the remaining three Republican justices dissented. The court also ordered the GOP to present new redistricting maps by 5:00 p.m. on Feb. 18. After the 2020 census, North Carolina gained an additional congressional seat, taking the total number of congressional seats for the state to 14. The GOP’s proposed redistricting would have potentially given the party 11 seats, leaving Democrats with only three. At present, Democrats hold five seats and Republicans eight. In the ruling, the Supreme Court said that the GOP’s redistricting plan is unconstitutional unless the General Assembly demonstrates that the plan will advance a “compelling governmental interest.” A redistricting plan aimed at boosting …