RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal judges on Thursday upheld several U.S. House districts that North Carolina Republicans drew in 2023 that helped the GOP gain additional seats the following year. They rejected accusations the lines unlawfully fractured and packed Black voters to weaken their voting power.

The small eastern North Carolina town of Whitakers has a tie for one of the spots on its Board of Commissioners, and it's being settled Monday by drawing a name from a box. And for one of the candidates,

NC Elections Board under Sam Hayes has implemented upgrades like the Registration Repair Project and plans to revamp its SEIMS system by 2027.

Both chambers of the North Carolina General Assembly recently approved a new congressional map, with the new lines set to take effect for the 2026 midterm elections. The new districts, passed on party-line votes, are specifically designed to give Republicans an additional congressional seat, a reality that legislative leaders did little to deny.