Third Supplement to the Complaint and Amendment to Complaint; General Assembly of North Carolina House Bill 1; Senate Bill 1
Public Court Documents
April 27, 1982 - August 16, 1982

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Case Files, Thornburg v. Gingles Hardbacks, Briefs, and Trial Transcript. Third Supplement to the Complaint and Amendment to Complaint; General Assembly of North Carolina House Bill 1; Senate Bill 1, 1982. c10fc558-d792-ee11-be37-6045bddb811f. LDF Archives, Thurgood Marshall Institute. https://ldfrecollection.org/archives/archives-search/archives-item/0a86bec3-bbe4-4137-8be4-88cc0698f58d/third-supplement-to-the-complaint-and-amendment-to-complaint-general-assembly-of-north-carolina-house-bill-1-senate-bill-1. Accessed May 22, 2025.
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/- t 7')t- t IN THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT FOR THE EASTERN DISTRICT OF NORTH CAROLINA RALEIGH DIVISION No. B1-803-Civ-5 et aI. P1a int if fs , RALPH GINGLES, V. RUFUS EDMISTEN, €t dl., Defendants. THIRD SUPPLEMENT TO THE COMPLAINT AND AMENDMENT TO CO}IPLAINT I. Introduction On April 27, 1982, the North Carolina General Assembly amended the apportionment of the North Carolina House of Representatives and of the North Carolina Senate which are the subject of the Second Supplement to the Complaint. The new apportionments were based on the previous apportionments which were amended but not repealed. Each apportionment continues to have the purpose, result, and effect of diluting minority voting strength and of denying black citizens the ability to use their vote effectively. The apportionments as amended by the General Assembly vioLate 52 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965r ds amended, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the united States Constitution, and 42 U.S.C. S1981. The ailegations of this Third Supplement to the Complaint set out the changes in the apportionments and are in addition to the allegations contained in the complaint, the supplement to the Complaint, and the Second Supplement to the Complaint previously filed in this action. In addition the Amendment to Lhe Complaint brings the previous allegations into conformity with the June, l9B2 amendment to 52 of the Voting Rights Act. II. Jurisdiction 135. The Court has jurisdiction over the claims in the Third Supplement to the Complaint pursuant to 28 U.S.C. SS1331 and 1343 and 42 U.S.C. S1973j. Plaintiffs' claims arise from the statutes and constitution of the United States and are claims to enforce statutes and constitutional provisions which protect civil rights including the right to vote. III. Count Eight: Dilution of Black Voting Strength in Eprn;-IqEZ Apportionment of the N. C. General Assembly 136. On April 26, 1982, the North Carolina General Assembly (hereafter "the General Assembly") convened for the purpose of reapportioning the districts of the North Carolina House of Representatives (hereafter "the House of Representatives" ) and the North Carolina Senate (hereafter "the Senate" ). 137. In response to the filing of this action, and follow- ing an objection by the Department of Justice under 55 of the Voting Rights Actr the General Assembly amended the February, l9B2 apportionment of the House of Representatives contained in Chapter 4 of the Extra Session Laws of L982 and the February, L9B2 apportionment of the Senate contained in Chapter 5 of the Extra Session Laws of 1982. 138. The amendment to Chapter 4 of the Extra Session Laws is contained in Chapter 1 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session -2- of L982. A true and accurate copy of Chapter I of the Laws of the Second Extra Session Laws of L982 is attached as Exhibit. A hereto. 139. The amendment to Chapter 5 of the Extra Session Laws is contained in Chapter 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of 1982. A true and accurate copy of Chapter 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session is attached as Exhibit B hereto. 140. Chapter 4 of the Extra Session Laws of 7982 as amended by Chapter I of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of L982 (hereinafter "the ApriI 1-982 House apportionment") is based in part on Article II, 53(3) of the N. C. Constitution. 141. The April 1982 House apportionment continues to use multimember districts to avoid dividing counties in the apportion- ment of the House of Representatives. 142. The practice of using multimember districts in the apportionment of the North Carolina House of Representatives and the use of multimember districts in the April 1982 House apportionment have the purpose, result and effect of abridging the right of black citizens to vote, of diluting minority voting strength and of denying members of the black community the oppor- tunity to elect representatives of their choice. 143. .The April L9B2 House apportionment divides the state into districts in a manner that has the purpose, result and effect of diluting minority voting strength, of denying black citizens the opportunity to elect representatives of their choice, and of abridging the right of black citizens to vote. -3- 144. The North Carolina House of Representatives had amendments and alternatives available to it at its April 1982 session which would have mitigated or avoided the dilution of minority voting strength but it refused to consider these amend- ments and alternatives. 145. The refusal to consider the amendments and alterna- tives which are referred to in Paragraph L44 above had the purpose, result and effect of diluting minority voting strength and of discriminating against black votes. L46. Chapter 5 of the Extra Session Laws of I9B2r Ers amended by Chapter 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of L982 (hereafter "the April L9B2 Senate apportionment") is based in part on Article II, 55(3) of the N. C. Constitution. L47. The ApriL L982 Senate Apportionment uses multimember districts to avoid dividing counties in the apportionment of the North Carolina Senate. I48. The practice of using multimember districts in the apportionment of the North Carolina Senate and the use of multi- member districts in the April L982 Senate apportionment have the purpose, result and effect of abridging the right of black citi- zens to vote, of diluting minority voting strength, and of deny- ing members of the black community the opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. 149. The April 1982 Senate apportionment divides the state into districts in a manner that has the purpose, result and effect of diluting minority voting strength, of denying members of the black community the opportunity to elect representatives -4- of their choice, and of abridging the right of black citizens to vote. 150. rn April, 1982 the North carolina senate had amend- ments and alternatives available to it which would have avoided or mitigated the dilution of black voting strength but the Senate rejected or refused to consider these alternatives and amendments. 151. The rejection of or refusal of the Senate to consider the alternatives and amendments referred to in Paragraph I50 had the purpose, effect, and result of diluting minority voting strength, of denying members of the black community the oppor- tunity to elect representatives of their choice, and of abridg- ing the right of black citizens to vote. A. Fifteenth Claim for ReIief L52. Plaintiffs' Fifteenth claim is brought pursuant to S2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965r ds amended, 42 U.S.C. 51973. r53. The purpose, result and effect of the apportionment of the North Carolina General Assembly as enacted in Chapters 4 and 5 of the Extra Session Laws of L9B2r ds amended by Chapters 1 and 2 of the Laws of the second Extra session of t9B2 are to abridge the right of black citizens to vote, to dil-ute minority voting strength and to deny members of the black community the opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. B. Sixteenth CIaim for Relief 154. The Sixteenth Claim 42 U.S.C. 51983 to enforce the for relief is brought pursuant to Thirteenth, the equal protection -5- clause of the Fourteenth, and the Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution, and pursuant to 42 U.S.C. S198I. 155. The intent and effect of the apportionment of the North Carolina General Assembly enacted in Chapters 4 and 5 of the Extra Session Laws of L982r dS amended by Chapters I and 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of L982, are to discriminate against black voters, to dilute the vote of black citizens and to deny plaintiffs their right to use their vote effectively. IV. Count Nine: Affirmative Duty and Assure Fair Representation 156. Plaintiff incorporates paragraphs 124-l2B of the Second Supplement to the Complaint by reference. 157. North CaroLinars practice of using multi-member districts in the apportionment of the General Assembly has historically been to the disadvantage of bLack voters and has had the purpose and effect of diluting minority voting strength and denying members of the black community the opportunity to elect members of their choice. 158. North Carolinars history of purposeful discrimination imposes a affirmative duty on defendants to eliminate the effects of past purposeful discrimination and to assure that black citizens have a fair and adequate opportunity to elect represen- tatives of their choice to the North Carolina General Assembly. 159. Defendants did not meet their affirmative obligation to assure that black citizens have a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice in the April 1982 apportionment -6- of the North Carolina General Assembly. A. Seventeenth Claim for Relief 150. Plaintiffsr seventeenth claim for relief is brought to redress defendantsr failure to meet their affirmative obligation to eliminate the effects of past discrimination and to assure that black citizens have a fair opportunity to elect represen- tatives of their choice to the General Assembly, it is brought pursuant to 42 U.S.C. 51983 to enforce the Thirteenth Amendment, the equal protection clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and the Fifteenth Amendment to the U. S. Constitution, to 42 U.S.C. 51981, and to 52 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 as amended,42 u.s.c. s1973. V. Third Supplement to the Prayer for Re1ief Wherefore plaintiffs pray that the court: 1. Grant the relief prayed for in the Complaint, the Supp1e- ment and the Second Supplement to the Complaint; 2. Declare that the apportionment of the North Carolina General Assembly as contained in chapters 4 and 5 of the Extra session Laws of L982r Ers amended by chapters 1 and 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of L982, have the purpose, result and effect of abridging the right of black citizens to vote, diluting minority voting strength, and of denying black citizens the opportunity to elect representatives of their choice in violation of 52 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965r Ers amended, 42 U.S.C. -7- S1973, in violation of the Thirteenth, Fourteenth, Fifteenth Amendments to the U. S. Constitution, and a violation of 42 U.S.C. S1981 and enjoin defendants from participating in, super- vising, conductingr oE certifying the results of any election pursuant to this apportionment and from enacting or enforcing any apportionment in the future which has the purpose, result, or effect of diluting the voting strength of black citizens. 3. Declare that defendants have an affirmative duty to eliminate effects of past purposeful discrimination and to assure that plaintiffs and other black citizens have a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice to the North Carolina General Assembly; further declare that Chapters 4 and 5 of the Extra Session Laws of I9B2 as amended by Chapters 1 and 2 of the Laws of the Second Extra Session of L9B2 do not afford plaintiffs and other black citizens a fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice in violation of 52 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965r ES amended, the Thirteenth, Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments to the United States Constitution, and 42 U.S.C. S1981, enjoin defendants from participating in, super- vising, conductingt ot certifying the results of any election pursuant to this apportionment and from enacting or enforcing any apportionment in the future which does not afford black citizens a-fair opportunity to elect representatives of their choice to the North Carolina General Assembly; and enjoining defendants from participating in, supervising, conducting or certifying the results of any election pursuant to an apportion- ment of the North Carolina General Assembly which does not -B- eliminate the effects of past purposeful discrimination by every available means including the use of single member districts; 4. Award the costs of this action, including reasonable attorneysr fees, to plaintiffs; and 5. Grant such other and further reLief as may be just and appropriate. VI. Plaintiffs amend their Second Claim for relief, at Paragraphs 48-49, challenging Article II, SS3(3) and 5(3) of the North Carolina Constitution, Fifth Claim for Relief, at paragraph 70, challenging Chapters 800 and 82L of the Session Laws of 1981, Tenth Claim for Relief, dt Paragraph I02, challenging Chapter 1130 of the Session Laws of 1981, and Twelfth Claim for Relief, at Paragraph L23 challenging Chapters 4 and 5 of the Extra Session laws of 1982, to allege in addition to all- current allega- tions, that each of the challenged provisions has the result of abridging the right to vote of black citizens, of diluting minority voting strength and the denying members of the black community the opportunity to elect representatives of their choice. This 1L day of August, lg}2. Respectfully submitted, nryn-\ Chambers, -Ferguson, Watt, WaIIas, Adkins & Fuller, p.A. 951 South Independence Boul-evard Charlotte, North Carolina 28202 7 04/37 s-846L {/,/ I.EVONNE pHAMBERS LESLIE J. ]WINNER -9- o t, JACK GREENBERG JAIVIES NABRIT NAPOLEON WILLIAMS LANI GUNIER Suite 2030 10 Columbus Circle New York, NY 10019 Attorneys for Plaintiffs -10- EXHIBIT A ('rr . ( A}I ACT TO APPOBTIOII BEPEESEUTATI Y ES. The Geaeral AssenbIY Sectiou 1. Sessi.on Laus of 7982, to read: ( GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA SECOND EXTRA SESSION 1982 RATIFIED BILL CHAPTEB T HOSSE EILL T A BILL TO BE EUTITLEI) tH8 DrStBrCrs or rB8 uoRrH CIBO[rxl Eous8 0F of f,orth Carolina enacts: G.S. 120-2, as rerrittea by Chapter 4, Brtra is alended bl rerritilg Districts 17 aad 18 trDistrict 17 shall elect tuo BepEesentatiYes ald shall consist of Block 9Ol and Esuneration District 53tl of Census tract 3ll in Iancbester Tornship, Block 901 ao<l Eaureratiou District 535 of CeDsus 1ract 34 j,n Seventy-First foraship, Block 901 of Census Tract 34 in Carverrs Creek Toruship, Cross Creek Precincts l, 3, 5, 9, 13, 15, 17, and 19, Spring Lake Precinct, Uorganton Boail 1 precinct, Beaver Lake Precinct, Ilestarea Precinct, antl that part of Census Tract 33.02 in Precinct Serenty-Pirst 1. toy part of Cross Creek toraship rhich lay be entirely surrounded by ;organtoa Boad 1 Precinct sball also be in the District- Block 3Oq oi Census Tract 26 of Cross Creek Tovnship is not in the District. District 18 shall elect three Bepresentatives altl shall consist of the renaiader of Cueberlancl County not included in District 17- ll this the Sec. 2. In the 27th day Ihis act is effective upou ratification. Geaeral lsserbly reatl three tires antl ratitiea( r of April, 1982- .Iales C. Green Presitlent of the Senate LISTON B. RAMSEY Listoo B. Eaasey Speaker of tbe House of EepreseDtatives House BilI 1 AU ACT TO I GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF NORTH CAROLINA fr"rrBrr B SECOND EXTRA SESSION 1982 RATIFIED BILL CHAPTEB 2 SEIIATE BILL 1 aUEUD CHAPTEB 5 OF TnE SESSIOT LAES (I'IRSt EXTBA 1(/ sEssroN, 1982) REDrstBrcTrxc rHE xoBIn caBoLrta sEltAtE- The Genr:ral Asseubly of North Carolila eaacts: Section 1. c.S. 120-1(a) as contained in Secti.on 1 of Chapter 5 of the Session Lars (Ertra Session, t982) is anended by: (a) deletiog the folloring language: rDistrict 2 elects one Senator aud consists of Bertie, Cboran, cates, Hertford, l{orthanpton, Perquiaa[s, TyrreJ-l and lasbington Couaties. District 1 elects one Senator and consists of Beaufort, Canden, Currituck, Dare, Hyde, Pallico anil Pasguotank Counties- District 3 elects oDe Sesator and consists of Carteret and Cravea Couuties. rr aud inserting in lieu thereof: nDistrict 1 elects one Seuator and consists of Canden, Currituck, Dare, Eyde, Pasquotank, Perguiaaus ancl Tycrell Counties; the folloring tornships of Beaufort County: Bath, Long Acre, Paatego, Richlaod, anrl lashington; aud the folloring touoships of llas.hi.ngton Couuty: Scupperaong and Skinnersville. District 2 elects one Senator and consists of Bertie, Chouaa, Gates, ilertford, and Northanptoa Countiesi the folloring ( ( tovnsbips of Edgecoabe County: 3 (Upper Conetoe), aud 4 (Deep Creel') ; the follouing toraships Halifax, Palnyra, ,Boseneath, tornships ot Uar tin Coutrtlr: Bobersonville; and the Lees of Halifar Couoty: ConoconDara, and Scotland ileck; the folloring Goose Uest, H arilton ancl Itills anil plyuouth Tornships of ilashiugton County. District 3 elects oue Seuator and consists of Carteret, Crayen and Panlico Counties.r; (b) dei.eting the folloving: ItDistrict 6 elects one seoator and consists of Eilgeconbe aa6 Halifar Counties and the folloring tornships of t{arren' Couu.ty: Havtree, 8iyer, Eoanoke, and Sixpouncl- n ancl inserting in lieu thereof: rrDistrict b elects otre Senator and consists of t{arreo County; the forroring tounships of Eclgecombe county: I (Tarboro), 2 (Louer conetoe), 5 (r.oyer Fishinq creek), 6 (upper Fishing creek) , 7 (srift creek) , B (sparta), 9 (otter creek) , 10 (Lorer Tovn creek) , 11 (|Jarout creek) , 12 (ffocky fiount] , 13 (cokey) , 14 (upper Torn creek) ; aad the folroring tounships of Ilalifax county: Brinkreyville, Butterrood, Enfiel,d, Faucett, LittLeton, Eoauoke Rapiils, and lleldou.tl: (c) deleting the folloring: r! District Count ies. rl and inserting r District -9 Chocouini t y toraships of 9 elects one senator and cousists of llartin anil pitt t .! in ].ieu thereof: I elects one Seuator and consists of pitt County; the toruship of Beaufort County; and the follorinq tlartiu Couaty: Beargrass, Cross Boads, Griffins, Senate Bill 1 ( JanesviJ.Ie, Poplar Poj-nt, Lilliams, and I{itliaaston- r; (d) deleting the folloviug: IDistrict 10 elects oae Senatof, and cousists of t{ilson County; aad the following townships of Nash county: coopers, Jackson, lanniags, ttashvirle, North t{hitakers, oak Level, Recl oak, Rocky HouDt, South Hhitakers ancl Stony Creek- rl aad inserting in Iieu thereof: 'rDistrict 10 elects one Senator and cousists of lilsou County; aad the folloring tornships of Nash county: coopers, Jackson, Uashville, North liiritakers, Oak Level, Red Oak, Bocky t{ount, South 'rlhitakers aod Stony Creek- n; and (e) deletrng the folloring: rrDistrict 11 elects one Senator and consists of Fraok-Lin and vance couaties; the folloring tornships in Nash county: Baileys, Cast a Iia, Dry tlel Is, FerrelIs, G rif f ins ; the f ollouinq tornshi ps in ilake Coun ty: iJ ar-toDS Creek, Leesvi Ile, LittIe Biver r Neu Light, and Hake Forest; ancl the f ollouing tornships in I{arreu County: Pishing Creek, Pork, JudkiBs, Nutbush, Sandy Creek, Shocco, SmitL Creek, and liarrentoo- tri and insertiug in .i-ieu thereof : rrDistrict 11 elects one Senator and consists of Franklin ancl vauce couoties; tire follouing tornships in Nash county: Baileys, CastaIia, DEy iieils, ferre1Is, criffios, and ilanuings; and the folloring tornships iu Fake county: Bartons creek, Leesvirre, little River, Nel tiqht, and Iiake Forest. n ( ( t I Senate tsiLi I thi.s the Sec.' Z- In the 27th day Ihis act is effective Geoeral lssenbly read of April. 1982- upon ratification. three tines aod ratified, JAMES C. GREEN .Ianes C. Greeo President of the Senate LISTON B. RAMSEY Listoa B- Rausey Speaker of tbe House of nepreseutatives a I t I i I t, Seuate 8i11 1