North Carolina stands at the center of some of the most intense and impactful battles over gerrymandering in the United States. With prominent figures opposing this controversial practice, the state's landscape is rapidly evolving. As former President Donald Trump pushes Republican-led states like Texas to implement aggressive redistricting changes ahead of the upcoming midterms, California is also working on a plan that could counteract potential losses for Democrats. Amid these developments, some voices in North Carolina have shifted their stance or chosen to remain silent.
Bob Phillips, the executive director of Common Cause NC, expressed the organization's evolving stance during these unprecedented times. Common Cause has a storied history of opposing partisan gerrymandering, even taking legal action against North Carolina's congressional maps all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. Recently, however, the organization publicly supported California's redistricting plan, which aims to secure five additional congressional seats for Democrats, countering Republican efforts in Texas.
In a statement, Common Cause emphasized that their redistricting experts found California's mid-year adjustments to be fair, while labeling Texas's efforts as fundamentally flawed. "We heard our members and we’re meeting this moment by forcing politicians on both sides to stand for our democracy," they stated. Despite this support, several members of the organization's California advisory board resigned in protest, illustrating the internal conflict over this strategic pivot.
Former Democratic U.S. Representative Wiley Nickel, who was recently redistricted out of his seat due to Republican map changes in 2023, has also changed his tone regarding gerrymandering. Nickel, who previously championed nonpartisan redistricting commissions, has thrown his support behind California's retaliatory redistricting efforts, declaring that "desperate times call for desperate measures." He argues that Democrats must respond to Republican gerrymandering in Texas to prevent losing control of Congress to partisan mapmakers.
Interestingly, some politicians who have previously condemned gerrymandering have opted for silence during the current national discourse. Democratic Governor Josh Stein, who labeled gerrymandering a "cancer on our democracy," has not publicly addressed the ongoing redistricting battles in Texas and California. Similarly, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, known for his outspoken views on the issue, has refrained from commenting, despite his previous criticisms of partisan practices.
Jackson's past statements highlight a consistent theme in his political career, where he criticized both parties for their roles in perpetuating gerrymandering. He has previously advocated for the establishment of independent redistricting commissions and has been a vocal opponent of gerrymandering practices that undermine democratic processes.
Despite the heated national debate over redistricting, it appears that North Carolina may remain on the sidelines. The state's congressional map was redrawn by Republicans, resulting in significant losses for three Democrats, including Jackson and Nickel. The recent ruling by the state Supreme Court's new Republican majority, which deemed partisan gerrymandering a political issue not subject to judicial review, has provided lawmakers with the latitude to draw maps that favor their party.
Nevertheless, the newly drawn maps are not without controversy, as they face ongoing legal challenges concerning allegations of racial gerrymandering and unfair electoral practices. As the landscape of gerrymandering continues to evolve, the eyes of the nation remain on North Carolina, where the implications of these battles could have lasting impacts on the political landscape.
