(RALEIGH) -- A three-judge panel decided Friday not to delay North Carolina's May 8 primary as legal challenges continue to the redistricting of state legislative and congressional maps. State House Speaker Thom Tillis says the ruling was correct.

"I admire the work of this three-judge panel. It was a unanimous decision; it was about the most professional process I've been able to observe," he said.

Legislative leaders and lawyers for the state say the boundaries are legal and preliminary injunction is not needed. Candidate filing is scheduled to begin February 1.