Governor McCrory Signs Proclamation Calling for Extra Session | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    Raleigh, N.C.     Governor Pat McCrory has signed a proclamation calling the General Assembly to convene for an extra session and issued the following statement.

    "I am extremely disappointed by the recent ruling but still hope that Chief Justice Roberts will issue a stay that is in the best interest of the people of North Carolina," Governor McCrory said. "I am concerned that in the absence of a stay, the voting for congressional representatives could be disrupted."

PROCLAMATION OF AN EXTRA SESSION

    WHEREAS, on February 5, 2016, a three-judge panel for the United States District Court for the Middle District of North Carolina ordered the General Assembly to draw new congressional districts by February 19, 2016; and

    WHEREAS, State defendants will exercise all avenues of appeal, but intend to fully comply with the Court's order; and

    WHEREAS, the three-judge panel for the United States District Court for the Middle District ("the Court") recognized "well-established precedent that a state should have the first opportunity to create a constitutional redistricting plan"; and

    WHEREAS, legislative leadership took steps to prepare for a possible extra session by appointing a Joint Select Committee on Congressional Redistricting ("the Committee") on Friday, February 12, 2016; and

    WHEREAS, the Committee held a series of public hearings across the State in Raleigh, Halifax, Charlotte, Fayetteville, Wilmington and Asheville on Monday, February 15, 2016; and

    WHEREAS, the Committee met in Raleigh to discuss public feedback and to review the Court's order on Tuesday, February 16, 2016 and Wednesday, February 17, 2016; and

    WHEREAS, legislative leadership requested an extra session for the purpose of expeditiously approving new congressional districts so as to comply with the Court's order and minimize delay of the primary election currently underway;

    NOW, THEREFORE, I, Pat McCrory, Governor of the State of North Carolina, pursuant to the authority vested in me as Governor by Article III, Section 5(7) of the Constitution of North Carolina, due to this extraordinary occasion, and by and with the advice of the Council of State, do hereby proclaim that the General Assembly shall convene for an extra session on Thursday, February 18, 2016 at 10 am, and shall continue as provided by law and the rules of each house until both houses shall have adjourned sine die, for the purpose of apportioning congressional districts as required by the three-judge panel and to consider any other legislation necessary to hold the 2016 congressional elections.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto signed my name and affixed the Great Seal of the State of North Carolina at the Capitol in the City of Raleigh this 17th day of February, 2016.

    View the proclamation here:

    Contact: Crystal Feldman
       govpress@nc.gov