The lawsuit, originally filed by N.C. Republican legislators, said the enforcement of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 in the new district plans violated the N.C. Constitution.
The act makes it legal to divide counties to prevent the dilution of minority votes. The act conflicts with a state constitutional provision that forbids counties from being split.
But Amy Fulk, press secretary for Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, said the maps are legitimate as they stand.
"We feel that the maps as drawn comply with the Voting Rights Act and previous state and court decisions," she said. "Counties have been split in every redistricting plan since the 1970s."
Fulk said the Basnight camp is satisfied with some aspects of the court's decision not to delay the primaries.
"We're pleased with the court's decision to not lift the ban because it allows the election to continue uninterrupted," she said.
UNC law Professor Melissa Saunders said the Voting Rights Act was enacted to allow minorities to have more of a voice in elections.
"Section two (of the act) is a vote dilution claim," Saunders said.
"It's a claim that you've drummed out a voting minority. That minimizes their vote."