When Politicians Rig the Maps, the People Lose

North Carolina’s political leaders have once again put partisan power over the people. Instead of addressing the state’s teacher shortage, repairing our crumbling infrastructure, or passing a budget that meets the needs of every NCian, legislative leaders are redrawing congressional maps to serve one man’s political ambitions.

In her latest commentary for NC Newsline, our Executive Director Melissa Price Kromm lays out the dangerous implications of this new round of redistricting. Under Trump’s direction, legislative leaders are pushing for an 11-3 map that would give Republicans control of nearly 80% of North Carolina’s congressional seats — in what is supposed to be a 50/50 swing state.

This is not about population balance or fair representation. It’s about silencing communities of color, especially those in North Carolina’s historic Black Belt district (CD1), and manipulating electoral outcomes to entrench partisan control.

“This is not a democracy. It’s manipulation, plain and simple.”— Melissa Price Kromm, NC For The People Action

Kromm reminds readers that voters across the political spectrum — Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike — overwhelmingly oppose gerrymandering. Eighty-four percent of North Carolinians agree that politicians should never draw districts to help their own party. Yet here we are again, facing a map engineered to undermine accountability and punish voters for their choices.

At NC For The People Action, we believe that fair maps are the foundation of a fair democracy. Every time politicians rig the process, they rob North Carolinians of real choices and real power. The solution is clear: independent redistricting commissions, proportional representation, and a democracy that belongs to the people — not politicians.

Read Melissa’s full commentary on NC Newsline:

“North Carolina’s leaders are rigging the maps for Trump, not serving the people.”