CHARLOTTE, N.C. — A federal judge panel on Wednesday denied requests to block the North Carolina General Assembly from using newly drawn congressional districts in the 2026 elections , allowing the state to proceed with a redrawn map aimed at flipping a Democratic-held swing seat to Republicans.

The decision came after the North Carolina NAACP and individual voters sought a preliminary injunction against a law passed in October that reconfigured two eastern districts, Congressional Districts 1 and 3, to strengthen Republican prospects. Plaintiffs argued the changes violated the U.S. Constitution and federal voting laws through racial discrimination and retaliation against Democratic voters.

But the court said the challengers did not make a "clear showing" that they would prevail at trial

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