CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Under new congressional maps approved by the state supreme court, Mecklenburg County stands to get extra representation in Washington, D.C.
"The city of Charlotte basically gets split into two congressional districts, the 12th and the 14th," Michael Bitzer, professor at Catawba College, said.
In previous mapping attempts, much of Charlotte was concentrated in one congressional district, and the new 14th district was sprawling west in rural counties. Now, two districts will be centered mainly along the borders of Mecklenburg County, with sections including Gaston and Cabarrus Counties.
"That district has shifted so much now. And is much more democratic I think right now. Mecklenburg could be represented by two Democratic members of Congress," Bitzer said.
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Bitzer pointed out that North Carolina was apportioned an extra congressional seat after US Census reflected a population boom, with much of that growth happening in the Raleigh and Charlotte metros.
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