Filing for political offices in Halifax County will resume February 24, board of elections Director Kristin Scott said.

The new filing date comes after a judicial panel Tuesday refused to throw out redistricting maps drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, the Associated Press reported.

The filing period in Halifax County will begin at 8 a.m. on February 24 and close on March 4 at noon, Scott said.

However, Scott said the state Supreme Court could modify the filing dates if it determines it to be necessary.

In the ruling, the court allowed a request from the state Board of Elections to resume filing ahead of the May 17 primary.

For questions contact the county board of elections office at 252-583-4391.

The AP reported the decision by the three trial judges rejected arguments that the lines were illegal because they were politically stacked for the GOP.

The unanimous decision by the three trial judges, which followed a quick trial last week, will be appealed by the advocacy groups and voters — some backed by a national Democratic group — who challenged the new congressional and legislative lines in court.

The state Supreme Court, which will have the final say on the maps, had ordered the trial judges to rule by Tuesday, apparently to discourage further delays in the 2022 election schedule.

The Supreme Court justices had already postponed the scheduled March 8 primary to May 17 and suspended candidate filing while the trial judges heard testimony and ultimately received about 1,000 exhibits. Maps would need to be finalized — whether under the enacted plans or with court-ordered changes — by February 18 to carry out the May primary, according to the State Board of Elections.