Take Action: Redistricting Meetings Scheduled Around NC

Redistricting Information and Upcoming Meetings

On April 28, 2023, The North Carolina Supreme Court overturned its own past ruling that said partisan gerrymandering is illegal. The court issued a 5-2 decision, with the court’s Republican justices voting to overturn the past ruling and the two Democratic justices dissenting. The court flipped from 4-3 Democratic control to 5-2 Republican control during the November 2022 mid-term elections.

The ruling clears the way for NC Republicans to aggressively gerrymander the congressional map, which is currently represented by seven Democrats and seven Republicans. They can re-create the map they initially passed last cycle which a Democratic-controlled NC Supreme Court struck down as unlawful. This would grant Republicans possibly a net of four more seats.

Read More Here: North Carolina Supreme Court clears way for partisan gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is a manipulation of voting districts to gain political advantage by a party or group of people. It is a strategy used to influence district composition and election results which can help one political party win more seats and hold a majority, thus influencing bills that can pass. Because of North Carolina’s history of drawing districts illegally, it is important for social workers to lend their voice on the drawing of fair maps that represent equity and fair representation.

Ways to Get Involved:
Legislators are taking public comments on redistricting now. Please see below for how to sign up to submit comments.  You can also access this information at  https://www.ncleg.gov/. 

You are hereby notified that the House Committee on Redistricting will meet JOINTLY as follows:

• Sept. 25| College of the Albemarle, 4:00PM | Performing Arts Center, Elizabeth City, NC
  • Link for public speaker sign-up: https://www.ncleg.gov/requesttospeak/69
  • Hearing starts at 4:00 pm. Doors open and in-person sign up to speak begins at 3:00 pm.
  • Online sign-up will close at 12:00 pm. Committee members are not required to attend.
• Sept. 26| Appalachian State-Hickory Campus, 4:00PM |The Atrium Room, Hickory, NC
  • Link for public speaker sign-up: https://www.ncleg.gov/requesttospeak/70
  • Hearing starts at 4:00 pm. Doors open and in-person sign up to speak begins at 3:00 pm.
  • Online sign-up will close at 12:00 pm. Committee members are not required to attend.

• Sept. 27| NC General Assembly Building | Raleigh, NC
  • Link for public speaker sign-up: https://www.ncleg.gov/requesttospeak/71
  • Hearing starts at 4:00 pm. Doors open and in-person sign up to speak begins at 3:00 pm.
  • Online sign-up will close at 12:00 pm. Committee members are not required to attend.

Resources:

What is Redistricting
Understanding Redistricting: Democracy NC 
All About Redistricting: North Carolina | State Summary