Redistricting

Redistricting

photo of North Carolina Fair Districts rally to end gerrymandering

Join Fair Districts NC to get reasonable Redistricting Reform!

demko [at] lwvnc.org (Get Involved) demko [at] lwvnc.org (Request a Speaker) demko [at] lwvnc.org (Ask a Question)

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.  

We don’t want another decade of gerrymandered districts. Your help is needed to achieve reform that puts voters, not politicians in charge of the redrawing.

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. Our coalition, Fair Districts NC, is working to educate voters and promote reform. Please join us as we work to:

• Get fairer maps for our state in the 2021 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 FDNC 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. 
 

Latest News 

  • Nov. 23, 2021 – LWVNC's Phyllis Demko provides an update on the lawsuits against the NC General Assembly related to redistricting. Read it here. 

  • Oct. 26, 2021 – LWVNC's Phyllis Demko presented remarks to state legislators at yesterday's redistricting hearing. Read her remarks here. 

  • Oct. 21, 2021 – Update on redistricting and next week's hearings. 

  • Oct. 11, 2021 – The NCGA is now drawing maps! Observe the map-drawing process taking place in the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh (300 N. Salisbury St, Raleigh, NC 27603). House drawing is in Room 643. Senate drawing is in Room 544. You can also watch live streams from home. Learn more here. 

  • October 2021 – Read the letter sent to the NCGA by LWVNC and a slew of other organizations, asking to perform map drawing in public view.

  • September 2021 – See the newly released Redistricting Joint Public Hearing schedule. And get involved! How? Get started by reading this action alert from LWVNC. 

  • Week of Aug. 23, 2021 – League of Women Voters of Wake County has compiled easy steps you can take, urging General Assembly members to open the redistricting process to more public scrutiny and citizen input. Learn more here. 

  • August 2021: These criteria will be used by the General Assembly in redistricting legislative seats and Congressional seats. 

  • August 2021: Week of Aug. 9 – Speak Out for #FairMaps as Redistricting Process in NC Gets Underway 
  • June 2021: Watch the recording of our June Fair Districts NC webinar – "Speak Out for Fair Districts: Finding Opportunities, Using the Right Tools, Sending the Right Message." And please use and share our "Take Action for Fair Maps" toolkit, which was unveiled during the webinar.

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 NE (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. We're happy to highlight their work. What a great team! 

Action Team Leader

Contact the Team Leader: Phyllis Demko, demko [at] lwvnc.org

Check Out Our YouTube Channel! 

League to which this content belongs: 
North Carolina

All Posts Related to this Committee

Gerrymandering Harms Democracy

Political and racial gerrymandering distorts and undermines representative democracy. It allows officials to choose their voters rather than voters choosing who represents them. Especially when done for purposes of racial discrimination and/or to ensure the dominance of one political party, gerrymandering runs counter to equal voting rights for all.

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Better Drawing of Electoral Maps

Responsibility for redistricting preferably should be vested in an independent special commission, with membership that reflects the diversity of the unit of government, including citizens at large, representatives of public interest groups, and members of minority groups.

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Supporting Redistricting Reform

The League’s approach to reform recognizes that both the criteria for redistricting and the process for drawing the maps are key to getting us to Fair Maps.

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Draw the Line on Gerrymandering

We, the citizens of North Carolina, can put an end to gerrymandering and strengthen our democracy. Help us draw the line on gerrymandering in our state.

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Redistricting Resources

Need more information on Redistricting? Read more to access additional resources!

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