Redistricting

Redistricting

photo of North Carolina Fair Districts rally to end gerrymandering

fgayewilliams [at] gmail.com (Get Involved) fgayewilliams [at] gmail.com (Request a Speaker)
When politicians draw their own districts, we, the voters, lose! Naturally, they draw safe districts for themselves and their party. That’s called gerrymandering. When one party is in charge of drawing the maps, they can rig election outcomes so that the winners of most seats are predetermined and their party is all but guaranteed to keep the majority. As a result, gerrymandering undercuts accountability to the voters, the very essence of democracy.  

Your help is needed to achieve reform that puts voters, not politicians in charge of the redrawing. We know that we will have another redistricting process in 2031, after the 2030 census. 

The best solution, being adopted by states across the country, is a citizens’ commission that draws the maps in an open, participatory process, following strict criteria, and limiting the role of the legislature. Please join us as we work to:

• Get fairer maps for our state in the redistricting of congressional, legislative, and local districts.
• Establish a stronger legal basis for the next redrawing, with real citizen participation and strong criteria.
• Work toward adoption of an independent citizens’ commission so voters, not politicians, draw our districts.
• Engage and educate NC residents about redistricting, why it’s key to our state’s future, and how they can get involved.
 

6 Things You Can Do to Promote Fair Maps

1. Volunteer! 
3. Encourage organizations you’re involved with to join the coalition by endorsing the 5 Principles.
4. Support this work by making a donation to the League of Women Voters of NC. 
5. Help to organize a presentation to your group or community on how gerrymandering undermines our state. 
6. Contact your legislators and tell them to adopt a transparent, participatory, and fair process. 
 

Local League Highlights

The strength of the League is in its local Leagues, from Henderson and Asheville in the west to Lower Cape Fear, Carteret, Dare, and Northeastern (centered in Elizabeth City) on the coast. Most of the Leagues have a redistricting team, organizing public education programs and working with their elected officials. What a great group! 

Action Team Leader

Contact the Team Leader: Gaye Williams, fgayewilliams [at] gmail.com  

League to which this content belongs: 
North Carolina

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A new report from the League of Women Voters of Wake County details the cost of unfair redistricting in the state and provides recommendations for a transparent map-drawing process.

How Does Gerrymandering Work?

The Fair Elections Roundtable works to make voting fair and accessible to all citizens. Currently, the focus of the roundtable centers on two issues:  gerrymandering and voter access.

 

Gerrymander

Gerrymandering is the drawing of political districts for partisan advantage. It enables the party in charge to draw electoral maps that ensure they will win a larger share of seats than their share of the votes. Read more to learn the basics of gerrymandering.

Imagine a town with two parties: the Stripers and the Dotters. The two parties compete for the town council’s five seats, each elected from its own district. Their town has 50 voters, 20 in the Striper Party and 30 in the Dotter Party. Due to a new census showing population shifts, they need to redraw the council districts. Read more to see our example.

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