Cooper seeks formal say opposing constitutional amendments

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper wants to formally urge a North Carolina appeals court to uphold a ruling that struck down two state constitutional amendments approved by voters last year.

Cooper’s attorney asked the state Court of Appeals on Friday to accept his legal brief arguing why the February decision by Superior Court Judge Bryan Collins should be affirmed. Collins voided amendments requiring photo identification to vote and lowering caps on income tax rates.

Cooper’s brief says the Republican-dominated General Assembly that proposed the amendments was tainted by “widespread and serious” racial gerrymanders, so it didn’t truly represent North Carolina citizens. Agreeing with the state NAACP that initially sued, the brief says such an “illegitimate legislature” diminishes popular sovereignty.

Cooper already had signaled in March his support for the ruling.