RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republicans on Wednesday pitched new maps for the state's congressional districts starting in 2024 that appear to threaten the reelection of at least three current Democratic U.S. House members.
A proposed congressional map would have a huge impact on our state.
In the newly released proposed redistricting maps, many U.S. House Districts would likely switch from Democrat to Republican next year.
For some background, redistricting is the process of defining districts where public officials are elected.
The proposed maps would threaten the reelection of at least three current Democratic U.S. House members.
Members of the United States House of Representatives, the North Carolina Senate, and the North Carolina House of Representatives are elected by district.
Wednesday's district map proposals would split the state's largest counties which are heavily Democratic like Charlotte, Raleigh, and Greensboro into two or three districts.
Republican leaders have said they will allow amendments to be suggested to the maps, but if the party is on the same page they can use their supermajority to pass all new maps without Democratic support.
The current congressional plan that led to a 7-7 split was the result of trial judges who declared that lawmakers had failed to comply fully with a February 2022 ruling by the state Supreme Court that determined the state constitution outlawed extensive partisan gerrymandering. State law says such an interim map can only be used for one election cycle, giving lawmakers another chance to draw boundaries.
The first proposal above splits Guilford County into two districts. Part of it remains District 6 like it is now. Greensboro is not included in that district. It goes to District 5, which spans out to the Virginia-Tennessee border.
The other proposal above does something similar - but instead splits Guilford County into three districts. In this map, district 6 goes as far south as Mecklenberg County.
The bill sponsors defended the maps, writing "this map adheres to established redistricting principles and complies with all legal guidelines. We look forward to voting on this proposed legislation next week."
Democrats say both maps aren't fair.
The two committees scheduled meetings on Thursday to discuss the plans that were filed Wednesday, with committee votes likely early next week.