RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Federal judges on Thursday upheld several U.S. House districts that North Carolina Republicans drew in 2023 that helped the GOP gain additional seats the following year. They rejected accusations the lines unlawfully fractured and packed Black voters to weaken their voting power.

The small eastern North Carolina town of Whitakers has a tie for one of the spots on its Board of Commissioners, and it's being settled Monday by drawing a name from a box. And for one of the candidates,

NC Elections Board under Sam Hayes has implemented upgrades like the Registration Repair Project and plans to revamp its SEIMS system by 2027.

The judges wrote that plaintiffs failed to prove lawmakers drew maps “with the discriminatory purpose of minimizing or canceling out the voting potential of Black North Carolinians.”

Tim Hoegemeyer will now serve as the board’s general counsel, Jason Tyson as the director of external affairs and Leah Byers as legislative liaison to the board.