New districts, same as the old districts?

by | Aug 11, 2017 | Editor's Blog, North Carolina, Redistricting | 3 comments

Republicans seem to want to antagonize the court that ruled the legislative districts drawn in 2011 are unconstitutional. Yesterday, they approved criteria to draw new districts that will almost certainly miff the judges. Republicans said that they would not consider race in drawing the maps despite needing to satisfy the Voting Rights Act that demands race be considered. They also insist on protecting incumbency even though many incumbents were elected in unconstitutional districts.

The court ordered the General Assembly to have new maps by September 1. Once they’re drawn and approved by the legislature, the court will then need to approve them. If the maps don’t pass constitutional muster, the court will appoint somebody to draw them again.

So far, GOP strategy has been to delay as long as possible to protect their veto proof majority. Maybe drawing maps under criteria that might not pass muster is part of that strategy. Either they get maps that will heavily favor Republicans again or they can draw out the suit over the next election cycle, keeping the current districts intact. Seems that’s a bad bet, but who knows?

What’s clear is that Republicans understand that they can’t hold the power they have today without rigging the system. Gerrymandering is a big part of their game plan. Reducing access to the polls is another tactic. Protecting gains by weakening the power of the Elections Board is still another. Lopsided districts, though, are the key to their veto proof majority.

Regardless, the new districts will almost certainly be more competitive than the current ones. In a mid-year election, Democrats could make big gains, especially if the courts draw them.

3 Comments

  1. Jay Ligon

    The GOP will not let their crack, their addiction to power, go easy.

    Like the hustlers in back alleys, they need to break the law to deal the laws.

    Fat white guys with no rhythm or soul, miscreants with a license to burn the Constitution, push one more hit over the line.

    The lawmen in robes shake fingers at them, but the GOP junkies huddle on Jones Street and start jonesing for another taste. Just a little longer in ill-gotten power.

    They know they do wrong. They can read English; it’s their mother tongue. But the addict cannot go cold turkey. So they shuffle the voters around again, looking over their shoulders as they do.

    The dog ate our homework. We forgot that they shouldn’t be racist. We left our ethics in middle school. The money from the oligarchs will be cut off. We can’t quit today. Just one more, one more election cycle, then we’ll get straight. Ok, we were lying before and cheating the voters, but we’ll clean up.

    Sweet Jesus, give us a few more days in unconstitutional districts, then we can make things right. Trust us.

    We just bought new ties and expensive wingtips.

  2. Kicking butt

    Maybe Berger and Moore being held in contempt of court might get their attention. I think that would straighten out the curves in the road….however, they could make themselves heroes by defying a federal mandate, but I don’t believe that they would want to lose their law licenses.

    • Norma Munn

      Interesting idea re the costs of this legislation. I would like to sue them as a tax payer to force them to re-pay any further legal fees on the grounds that any further gerrymandering is clearly an act of defiance and tax payers should not be forced to bear that burden. I bet there are hundreds of potential plaintiffs for such a lawsuit. Not sure of the legal grounds, but that is what smart lawyers are for. Any takers?

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