LOD: Redistricting Update

Democracy North Carolina will join three other nonpartisan organizations in filing a lawsuit in state court on Friday that challenges the constitutionality of the new redistricting plans. Late yesterday, the US Department of Justice said it would not object to the plans, using a relatively narrow set of criteria to “preclear” the maps in the 40 counties covered by the Voting Rights Act. But there are additional issues and reasons why the plans can and should be contested. To begin with, the Republican map-makers have unnecessarily carved up 563 precincts with two million adults into over 1,400 sections that are placed into different legislative districts, which will confuse and complicate every aspect of the election process. And here’s the galling factoid: Your chances of living in one of these split precincts is 50% higher if you are black rather than white. You think that’s an accident? Speaking of impediments to voting rights, we’re pleased that the Raleigh News & Observer published our op-ed column about the “campaign to make it harder to vote.” For less print and more song, check out this video that explains the redistricting process from ProPublica.