Thread by @allontheline_nc

Republican officials in Raleigh have drafted congressional and legislative maps for NC. These maps could determine who represents NCians for the next decade -- and we’re seeing an alarming trend. The majority of proposed maps ignore or actively subvert the will of the people.

During 13 public hearings last month, hundreds of people testified about what they wanted to see in the new maps. In the midst of a pandemic, many drove over an hour, came to hearings on their lunch break, or scrambled to find child care just so that their voices could be heard.

North Carolinians asked for fairness, inclusion and representation rooted in their communities. They want an end to partisan gerrymandering. These maps do not reflect what the people asked for. #ncpol #ncga

Every Congressional map drawn by Republicans divides NC’s urban counties and regions more than is necessary. For example, this map divides Mecklenburg County into FOUR Congressional districts:

Half of the people who spoke at the Cumberland and Robeson hearings asked for a congressional district rooted in the Sandhills. Republican-drawn maps fail to deliver cohesive representation for this unique region. #ncpol

Despite dozens of comments requesting that Greensboro, Winston-Salem and High Point be united in a congressional district, the drafts -- and the leaders who drew them --ignore public input and split Triad communities.

Many people at the hearings called for maps that reflect the fact that North Carolina is a 50/50 state, yet most of the Congressional draft maps seem to have 9 or more safe Republican seats out of the 14 seats available.

One map even seems to have 12 Republican seats - out of 14! It’s a clear and blatant attempt to gerrymander. These maps are not fair and they’re not what North Carolinians asked for.

Now that we know what we’re dealing with, the public has a right to weigh in on the draft maps. Pledge to testify here and we’ll reach out to help you prepare, whether you plan to attend a hearing or submit comments online:
act.redistrictingaction.org/a/nc-hearing-p…