Redistricting
Reform:
Restoring Voter Choice & Accountability
The
Problem
Currently, North Carolina’s state legislators have the
power and responsibility to draw Legislative and Congressional
districts. Vigorous partisan abuse has characterized the redistricting
process and lawmakers have used their power to ensure that most
seats are safe, incumbents are practically guaranteed winners
long before Election Day, and opposition candidates rarely run
because of the impossibility of winning.
The partisan
redistricting process allows legislators to carve up communities
and cities across the state, weakening the ability of North
Carolina communities and individuals to hold their elected officials
accountable, the cornerstone of democracy.
Partisan
redistricting leads to:
In this
past election cycle, half of the state’s legislative races
went uncontested, 63 out of the 120 House races and 22 out of
the 50 Senate races, because potential challengers know they
can’t win in districts draw to elect the incumbent.
The
Solution: An Independent Redistricting Commission
North Carolina needs an Independent Redistricting Commission
made up of qualified citizens to ensure independence, partisan
balance, and fairness in the redistricting process.
The Commission
would draw districts to comply with Census data, our constitution,
the Voting Rights Act, and preserve communities of interest.
This idea
is not new: Twelve states already
have Independent Redistricting Commissions and
several more are considering initiatives and bills this year.
The
Result
More voter choice. More voter accountability. More diversity.
More representation.
Instead
of politicians choosing their voters, voters will choose their
politicians.
