_The NC Redistricting plan was approved by the Department of Justice, but then, as was anticipated, has become embroiled in a massive lawsuit brought by a coalition of Democrat and left-wing groups.   The schedule for hearing the combined case before a three-judge panel and the probability of appeals with the attending possibility of injunctions may well postpone the 2012 primary elections.

I do not understand how a plan which meets all the requirements of the Law and which absolutely creates districts of equal numbers of voters and which considers ethnicity and other factors demanded by groups such as the NAACP ― how can such a plan be credibly challenged in court?

How can people complain that counties or towns are "split" between districts?  At least, how can the Democrats and leftists do so with any hint of integrity when the historical redistricting plans under the Democrats for decades have had the very same attributes? Why is that OK for a Democrat redistricting plan, but it's now "wrong" for a Republican-led redistricting plan? Oh, the hypocrisy never ends!

I hope the judges use common sense and adhere to the Rule of Law in coming to a speedy and just decision. I hope that justice and concern for the crucial electoral process overrides the petty political sniping and sour grapes of the left. I can hope, but I have learned to set my expectations much lower these days.

Read: NC Judges Set Hearing on Redistricting



Bill Cochrane

The N.C. Attorney General's Office has submitted proposed new congressional and legislative districts for federal approval, according to the chairman of the Senate's redistricting committee.  Sen. Bob Rucho, a Matthews Republican, said the documents, including transcripts from 17 public hearings, were submitted to the U.S. Justice Department and the U.S. District Court in the District of Columbia.

The plans must be federally approved under the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

Some groups have criticized the new districts, arguing among other things that they violate the voting rights law.

But Rucho defended the districts drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.  "We followed the letter of the law," he said.

Rucho said the  Justice Department has 60 days to approve or otherwise act on the proposals.  If  approved, the districts would be in effect when filing for the 2012 elections begins in February.

"We would hope that the clock is running as of today," he said, "and hopefully by around the second of November we would have some positive news that we were pre-cleared."

Craig Jarvis & Jim Morrill

When this round of redistricting began, there were lots of folks holding forth opinions to the effect that race should play less of a role in the redistricting process this time around.  I was involved in a number of discussions on this subject.  Well, the redistricting plan is now published.  Let the games begin!

Tak a look at these articles to gain a good understanding of what is about to happen:
Fight...Headed to Court       and         Proposed NC District Map...

Bill Cochrane