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Is there any way to end gerrymandering in NC? Romney barely won the state's electoral votes but Republicans will have supermajorities in the state House and Senate while also dominating the state's congressional delegation. That's not democracy. (and yes I realize Democrats did it as well and it was wrong then too)
Yes, it CAN be fixed. For years, the Republicans rightly complained about Dem Gerrymandering. Then they gained control of the NC Leg and did their own gerrymandering. When called on this, they said they did not have enough time to set up a new system for drawing districts.
NOW, there is plenty of time for the 2020 Census to come around. NOW, they can set up a non-partisan system of legally, fairly, and rationally drawing districts. Will they? Who knows, but they certainly CAN and if they don't they'll need a new excuse next time.
Yes, it CAN be fixed. For years, the Republicans rightly complained about Dem Gerrymandering. Then they gained control of the NC Leg and did their own gerrymandering. When called on this, they said they did not have enough time to set up a new system for drawing districts.
NOW, there is plenty of time for the 2020 Census to come around. NOW, they can set up a non-partisan system of legally, fairly, and rationally drawing districts. Will they? Who knows, but they certainly CAN and if they don't they'll need a new excuse next time.
Here a good article & map on republicans attempt to draw the districts in 2011
It should be noted that as a result of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the state of North Carolina is one of the few states required to submit redistricting plans to the U.S. Department of Justice for prior approval. Our current congressional districts were approved by the Obama Justice Department. On this redistricting issue, the Democrats are still running the show.
It should be noted that as a result of the Voting Rights Act of 1965, the state of North Carolina is one of the few states required to submit redistricting plans to the U.S. Department of Justice for prior approval. Our current congressional districts were approved by the Obama Justice Department. On this redistricting issue, the Democrats are still running the show.
Yes, and the law is based on not diluting the minorities. So, what they do is create a few districts with highly majority minorities, so they get their elected official for their district, but lose influence they may have had on electing multiple representatives if they had not been all crammed into the same place.
You mean you don't think Wilmington and the suburbs of Raleigh (Johnston County) should be in the same district? Or east Durham, New Bern and Elizabeth City? Or the snake shape of the 12th.
When I lived in Winston-Salem, I was in the king of gerrymandered districts, District 12, represented by Democrat Mel Watt. Congressman Watt is a good man, but his record of doing anything in Congress other than showing up and voting is abysmal because he's guaranteed to win by huge margins whether or not he's an effective representative.
Meanwhile, in my newly adopted 5th District, you have Democrats lining up like gladiators to the lions trying to take down Virginia Foxx, who barely has to bother to campaign. Elisabeth Motsinger had buttons, commercials, bumper stickers. I think I saw ONE Virginia Foxx sign in Boone. And she uses it as an excuse to say whatever she wants without fear of consequences.
Goes to show the effects of, as unbelievable as it sounds, bipartisan gerrymandering. It's a fundamental flaw in the system.
There is nothing wrong with rules when we all play by the same ones. Gerrymandering has been going on for centuries and all of a sudden it is wrong and should be stopped because Republicans can do it now? Give it a rest. It is our turn and we have a right to it. Turn about is fair play.
If I remember correctly the Mell Watt district was the result of a court case so we could have a black congressman. That is not the fault of the Republicans.
Is there any way to end gerrymandering in NC? Romney barely won the state's electoral votes but Republicans will have supermajorities in the state House and Senate while also dominating the state's congressional delegation. That's not democracy. (and yes I realize Democrats did it as well and it was wrong then too)
I think we should address this after the republicans have the same 100 year control the democrats had. Once it's evened out time wise, then we address it evenly.
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