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Lawmakers Approve Redistricting Guidelines

North Carolina legislative building
Wikimedia Commons
Lawmakers in North Carolina have approved a set of guidelines from which they'll draw new political maps.

State lawmakers have approved a set of guidelines from which they will draw new political maps.

Federal judges have ordered redistricting after ruling that 28 legislative seats are illegal racial gerrymanders. However, race is not among any of the criteria adopted Thursday that will be used for new maps.

Related: Here's What You Need To Know About Redistricting In NC

Republican David Lewis explained.

“Given the court’s order in this case we believe the only way to comply with the legal requirements regarding districts is not to consider race in that process,” Lewis said.

Democrats, including Senator Paul Lowe of Forsyth County, countered that race cannot be avoided. They said while judges said race should not be the factor, it should be taken into consideration.

“We live in the South,” Lowe said. “When in the South has race has not been a factor? Because what I’m hearing doesn’t really add up.”

Lawmakers are scheduled to pass maps in two weeks, and a three-judge panel will then review them.

The new districts will be in effect for the 2018 election.
 

Jeff Tiberii is the co-host of WUNC's "Due South." Jeff joined WUNC in 2011. During his 20 years in public radio, he was Morning Edition Host at WFDD and WUNC’s Greensboro Bureau Chief and later, the Capitol Bureau Chief. Jeff has covered state and federal politics, produced the radio documentary “Right Turn,” launched a podcast, and was named North Carolina Radio Reporter of the Year four times.
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