The National Democratic Redistricting Committee released the following statements in response to the Supreme Court’s decision to uphold a lower court ruling against the use of racial gerrymandering in drawing North Carolina’s state legislative maps:

“Today, the Supreme Court dealt yet another blow to racial gerrymandering,” said NDRC Chairman Eric Holder. “This is a victory for democracy is North Carolina. It will mean fairer state legislative districts that better represent North Carolin’a diverse communities. It sends a clear message that racial gerrymandering will be overturned by the highest court in the land, whether it happens at the federal or state level.”

“Over and over again, the Supreme Court has rejected racial gerrymandering,” said NDRC Senior Advisor and General Counsel Marc Elias. “This ruling is just the latest example of Republicans drawing districts in violation of the Constitution and Voting Rights Act. Have no doubt: Racial gerrymandering will no longer be tolerated and we will continue to challenge it where it exists.”

Holder, the former U.S. Attorney General, made voting rights a hallmark of his tenure as Attorney General. Elias is the chair of Perkins Coie’s Political Law Practice.