North Carolina is ready to bypass only submitting a redistricting plan to DOJ and will go to court instead.  Charlotte Observer:

“But Republicans in North Carolina, like those in other states, plan to go to the courts at the same time. Rucho called the Obama Justice Department ‘probably the most politicized … of any that’s been seen in the past.’  Other states, including Virginia, have pursued the same dual strategy.

Rucho said it’s designed to ensure early approval of the new districts and prevent any delay in the 2012 elections.

Hans Von Spakovsky, a senior legal fellow at the Heritage Foundation and a former Justice Department lawyer, said, ‘Any Republican-controlled state would be foolish not to go to court.’

‘The idea that North Carolina is going to get a fair, unbiased review from (the Justice Department) is highly unlikely,’ he said. ‘If they’re in court, they’re going to get a fair review and Justice isn’t going to be able to play games.’

In court, he argues, both sides would get a chance to present arguments. The Justice Department could simply send the state back to the drawing board.”