This is the full unedited audio from that town hall meeting. The participants taking questions are listed below the “need not decide” decision summary. The Harper decision was discussed as were a variety of other topics.
On June 27, 2023 the Supreme Court of the United States decided TIMOTHY K. MOORE, IN HIS OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS SPEAKER OF THE NORTH CAROLINA HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, ET AL., PETITIONERS v. REBECCA HARPER, ET AL.
While the elements of the case are too numerous to treat in this post the Court held that: “State courts retain the authority to apply state constitutional restraints when legislatures act under the power conferred upon them by the Elections Clause. But federal courts must not abandon their own duty to exercise judicial review. In interpreting state law in this area, state courts may not so exceed the bounds of ordinary judicial review as to unconstitutionally intrude upon the role specifically reserved to state legislatures by Article I, Section 4, of the Federal Constitution. Because we need not decide whether that occurred in today’s case, the judgment of the North Carolina Supreme Court is affirmed.”
On July 16, 2023, shortly after the SCOTUS decision on Harper, a Town Hall was hosted by Isaac West in front of his Fairview, NC Barber Shop.
The two state Senators participating were:
Julie Mayfield (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing District 49. She assumed office on January 1, 2021. Her current term ends on January 1, 2025.
Warren Daniel (Republican Party) is a member of the North Carolina State Senate, representing District 46. He assumed office on January 1, 2013. His current term ends on January 1, 2025.
The two State House Representatives participating were:
Lindsey Prather (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 115. She assumed office on January 1, 2023. Her current term ends on January 1, 2025.
J. Eric Ager (Democratic Party) is a member of the North Carolina House of Representatives, representing District 114. He assumed office on January 1, 2023. His current term ends on January 1, 2025.