Democracy wins a big victory in North Carolina

A STATEMENT BY REV. JESSE L. JACKSON, SR.

Chicago: — Those who fight for democracy and fairness in elections won a major victory recently in North Carolina when a panel of federal judges for the first time declared a congressional map unconstitutional because it reflected a partisan gerrymander.

U.S. Judge James A. Wynn, Jr. struck down North Carolina’s congressional map he described as “unconstitutionally gerrymandered” by the Republican-controlled legislature that was “motivated by invidious partisan intent.”

The court also said the existing map could not be used in the 2018 mid-term elections; gave the North Carolina General Assembly until January 24 to come up with a “remedial plan,” but warned it would come up with its own map if their lines were deficient.

The court said the Republican-controlled legislature’s intent was to subordinate the ‘interest of non-Republican voters’ and ‘entrench’ Republican domination of the state’s congressional delegation.”

While the Supreme Court has outlawed racial gerrymandering of political districts, it has never ruled conclusively on partisan gerrymandering. This case is an important development because the Supreme Court will rule on the principle ‘partisan gerrymandering’ of political districts in a Wisconsin case this June.

 

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