Pieces of legislation like the independent redistricting commission have been proposed to try to combate this growing partisan issue. Simply put, this bill would act to amend the NC constitution to establish an independent redistricting commission, away from political bias. However, legislation like this does more to mark the extreme, civil divide between the parties. Overturning a state constitution for the abuse and pursuit of extremist values does much to show how divergent even our states have become under the two party system.
Goals of this legislation: revive senate districts and appointment of senators among districts so that districts meet following :
Compactness to avoid elongated districts
1 person to ensure 1 vote to each voters vote
Minimise number of split counties, municipalities, and other communities of interest
When established, senate district and appointed senators remain unaltered until another census of the population is taken in 10 yrs.
If assembly does not enact a plan within 120 days redistricting commission will adopt one of the plans, and do it themselves in place of assembly
Redistricting commission will be 9 people, 2 of them will be appointed by the chief justices of supreme court, from diff political parties
3 are gonna be appointed by government, 2 can be from same party but all three cant
1 by the speaker of house of rep, 1 by the leader in house of rep with the next highest or = number of members as the party of the speaker
The bill was literally meticulously created to suit North Carolina, and finally promote equality in its state governments. The failure to enact a considerably fair bill serves as a testament to the wider issue of partisan politics today. Politicians don’t even look for neutrality or fairness anymore; with their party interests being their number one priority. It’s important to think about the road we go down with state politics being so one sidedly motivated.
This effort was in light of the other events occurring surrounding North Carolina at the time. With more and more maps being challenged and attempting to be overturned, it became increasingly important to neutralize the issue through compromise. However, this proposed compromise, along with other attempts, would not do much to solve the problem despite the visible support of massive democratic organizations and congressmen themselves.
“Since 2018, Democracy Green has led a vocal effort fighting against unfair and often racist gerrymanders that have served to disenfranchise already marginalized communities, namely environmental justice and climate disaster-impacted communities,” saidSanja Whittington, Executive Director, Democracy Green. “We support the Fair Maps Act and the leadership of Rep. Wiley Nickel in leading the charge for an independent redistricting commission and leading an example from the top that will ensure all voters have equal access to the ballot box and the candidates of their choosing who will tackle their most critical environmental issues and the concerns of their communities.”
“Fair maps are critical to our democracy, and the League is proud to endorse the FAIR MAPS Act, which will ensure equity and transparency in the map-drawing process,” said Jessica Jones Capparell, Director of Government Affairs at the League of Women Voters of the United States. “Equal representation is a right for all, regardless of where you live, the color of your skin, or how you identify, which is why the League remains committed to ensuring that maps are drawn fairly and reflect the communities they serve, with all voices considered and equitably represented.”
However, within the subgroups that gerrymandering created through the divide, formed a new sense of community
Marginalized communities across the country have long been the targets of partisan gerrymandering, and Asian Americans are no exception,” said Chavi Koneru, Executive Director of North Carolina Asian Americans Together. “NCAAT strongly supports the FAIR MAPS Act because it is a critical step in eliminating gerrymandering in our state and ensuring that every single voice is heard.”
This is one of many nonprofits that have brought hundreds of asian Americans together under political challenges like gerrymandering, combatting the problem through voter registration and most importantly, education. In my next post, we will explore with them what it means for Asian Americans have political targets on their back like gerrymandering.
