Alabama Lawmaker Takes on GOP-Drawn Map: Democratic Rep. Wiley Nickel of Cary doesn’t mince words when addressing the recently passed Republican congressional map. The GOP’s advantage in 10 of the 14 seats has Democrats concerned, especially Nickel, who faces potential loss. Describing the map as an “extreme partisan gerrymander” that disadvantages North Carolina voters, he suggests legal action, stating, “It’s time to sue the bastards.”
Given the Supreme Court’s reluctance to rule on partisan gerrymandering, Democrats face challenges, particularly with the GOP’s dominance on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Their recourse involves arguing under the Voting Rights Act, claiming the map disenfranchises Black voters. A previous Supreme Court decision on an Alabama map provides some precedent, but the differences between Alabama and North Carolina present unique challenges.
In North Carolina, where 22% of residents are Black, the new congressional map sees two Black Democrats, Alma Adams and Valerie Foushee, likely retaining their seats. However, Don Davis, the third Black Democrat, faces a shift from “lean Democratic” to “toss-up/lean Democratic” in a tweaked district.
Republicans’ alterations to Davis’ district aim to improve their chances of flipping it in 2024. Despite the changes, Democrats remain favored to win, raising questions about the impact of a slight reduction in the Black population percentage.
READ MORE: N.C General Assembly Passes New Congressional Map
Challenges to congressional maps under the Voting Rights Act have surfaced in other states, including Louisiana, South Carolina, and Georgia. The issue of fair representation and potential disenfranchisement remains a focal point in these legal battles.
As political maps solidify, Sen. Jay Chaudhuri questions the fairness of the 2024 congressional map, emphasizing its rigged nature with few competitive districts. The lack of a genuine toss-up district raises concerns about the effectiveness of elections in such a gerrymandered landscape. The sentiment echoes Chaudhuri’s earlier proposal to maintain the 2022 Congressional map, highlighting the ongoing struggle for fair representation in North Carolina’s political landscape.