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A North Carolina Supreme Court decision is expected to result in dramatic changes to the state's congressional districts, spelling trouble for several incumbent Democrats.

What You Need To Know

• A North Carolina Supreme Court decision is expected to result in dramatic changes to the state's congressional districts, spelling trouble for several incumbent Democrats

• Last year, the closest congressional race in North Carolina was between Republican Bo Hines and Democrat Wiley Nickel in the state's biggest swing district; Nickel won

• If the Republican general assembly draws a map similar to the one that once got thrown out, several Democrats in Congress are in jeopardy of losing their seat, including Rep. Don Davis

• Gerrymandering works both ways, in deeply blue New York, Democrats vowed to submit new Congressional district lines to the state's highest court, which just got a new liberal judge

Friday's decision will have significant ramifications for North Carolina and the nation, potentially helping to determine which party wins control of the House of Representatives next year.

"This is going to be very significant in North Carolina politics, and I think it will have a spillover effect into national politics," Michael Bitzer, a politics professor at Catawba College, told Spectrum News.

On Friday, the Republican-controlled state Supreme Court reversed a decision by last year's Democratic-controlled court.

The court has ruled that political gerrymandering, which involves the creation of electoral districts to favor one political party, is not an issue for the courts.

The ruling paves the way for the Republican-led general assembly to pass a new congressional map — likely flipping the now evenly split delegation — to one that is Republican.

"We would potentially go from seven seven, to as many [as] 10, perhaps 11, maybe even pushing the limits to 12 Republican seats," Bitzer said.

When asked by Spectrum News if the newly drawn maps will be Republican-friendly Republican North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said: “You will see maps that are going to follow the law, that are going to fairly represent the people of this state.”

Republicans tried to draw a map, but it got thrown out by the state's high court. They later appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has yet to rule.

"Most of us… probably are of the consensus opinion that the U.S. Supreme Court will punt on this particular case… they will say this case is now mute," Bitzer explained. 

If the Republican general assembly draws a map similar to the one that once got thrown out, several Democrats in Congress are in jeopardy of losing their seat.

That could also give Republicans an advantage nationally as they look to preserve their narrow control of the House.

When asked how concerned should Democratic Reps. Kathy Manning, Jeff Jackson, and Wiley Nickel be if the maps are reconfigured, Bitzer replied: "I think all of them are probably looking at other opportunities potentially… perhaps their tenure in Congress for this particular term could come to an abrupt end in 2024.”

Democrat Rep. Don Davis is another current lawmaker who's district has the potential to be drawn more Republican.

Gerrymandering works both ways. In deeply blue New York, Democrats vowed to submit new Congressional district lines to the state's highest court, which just got a new liberal judge. 

That could result in Republicans losing just as many seats as they hope to gain in North Carolina.