The United States Supreme Court ruled on Monday that North Carolina lawmakers relied too heavily on race when drawing congressional districts in 2011, affirming a lower-court ruling from 2016 that forced legislators to draw new maps.

The 5-3 ruling on North Carolina District 12 was affirmed by Democratic-nominated Justice Elena Kagan, Justice Sonia Sotomayor, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, Justice Stephen Breyer and Republican-nominated Justice Clarence Thomas.

Justice Samuel Alito dissented from the ruling, joined by Justice Anthony Kennedy and Chief Justice John Roberts.

North Carolina District 1 was also ruled unconstitutional in an 8-0 decision.

Newly sworn in Justice Neil Gorsuch abstained from ruling in both decisions, due to not being on the bench when the case was heard.

According to the ruling, the gerrymanders that resulted in Republicans representing 10 of 13 North Carolina congressional districts following the 2010 census were racially motivated and meant to muffle the voices of black voters in the political process.

New congressional district maps were adopted in February 2016 to address the lower court’s ruling, however these maps are part of a separate lawsuit to be heard in federal court in June.

In a statement released by Gov. Roy Cooper, he praised the decision of the Supreme Court to affirm the lower court’s ruling.

“North Carolina voters deserve a level playing field and fair elections, and I’m glad the Supreme Court agrees,” Cooper said. “The North Carolina Republican legislature tried to rig Congressional elections by drawing unconstitutional districts that discriminated against African-Americans, and that’s wrong.”