North Carolina, a voting rights hellhole.

[HomerThompson]

(CNN)Federal judges said Tuesday that North Carolina will have to quickly redraw its 13 congressional districts because the map is unconstitutionally partisan.

The three-judge panel rejected the previous map drawn by the Republican-controlled General Assembly, saying it violates the Equal Protection Clause, the First Amendment, and Article I of the Constitution.
The judges gave the state about three weeks to file a new plan with the court so it will be in place before the 2018 midterms.


The opinion is the first federal court ruling to strike down a congressional map as representing a partisan gerrymander.

http://www.cnn.com/2018/01/09/politics/north-carolina-gerrymandering-case/index.html

https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...an-congressional-districts-idUSKBN1EY2SS?il=0

North Carolina Republicans are appealing the ruling, of course. I hope this sticks, and assume the Supreme Court will have to weigh in eventually. If not this case, then one of the gerrymandering cases that is ongoing.

Hopefully we see all gerrymandering, regardless of party, go the way of the Dodo.

 

[Trotsky]

Very interested to see how this pans out. Sure, gerrymandering has for quite some time now been used to convert clear Democratic majorities into unrepresentative Republican majorities. But I'm skepitcal of the courts being able to promulgate an alternative.

 

[waiguoren]

Example 215358129573 of federal courts usurping legislative authority.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

As someone that doesn't know shit about how it's done, I'd start with the notion of grouping adjacent counties in a way that best creates an even spread of the population. How's it supposed to work?

 

[Quipling]

Example 215358129573 of federal courts usurping legislative authority.

Hard to see how this is an usurpation of legislative authority when the legislature has granted the authority in question to the judges.

 

[HomerThompson]

As someone that doesn't know shit about how it's done, I'd start with the notion of grouping adjacent counties in a way that best creates an even spread of the population. How's it supposed to work?

Like this, but worse:

 

[HomerThompson]

 

[Limbo Pete]

This shit is gonna make or break the next cycle in a big way. Huuuuge implications for the next decade of politics. People don't realize that the technology enabling districts to be drawn down to an individual level is a pretty new development. GOP is hoping against hope that the inbuilt advantages from the mega-gerrymander will carry them at least into another 2 years of mandate, with which they will make this past plundering session look like small fuckin potatoes imo. If they hold all the cards going into the next district/census round, we are absolutely boned.

 

[HomerThompson]

This shit is gonna make or break the next cycle in a big way. Huuuuge implications for the next decade of politics. People don't realize that the technology enabling districts to be drawn down to an individual level is a pretty new development. GOP is hoping against hope that the inbuilt advantages from the mega-gerrymander will carry them at least into another 2 years of mandate, with which they will make this past plundering session look like small fuckin potatoes imo. If they hold all the cards going into the next district/census round, we are absolutely boned.

Totally agree. This decision is a step in the right direction at least.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Like this, but worse:

Sorry picture-dude. I'm interested in a verbal rendition of the philosophy behind impartial districting.

 

[Fawlty]

Example 215358129573 of federal courts usurping legislative authority.

No, it's example 89* of the courts recognizing that partisan districting can deprive citizens of equal protection.


* lol

 

[waiguoren]

the legislature has granted the authority in question to the judges.

Source?

 

[HomerThompson]

Sorry picture-dude. I'm interested in a verbal rendition of the philosophy behind impartial districting.

Basically what you said. Breaking the State up into districts that are roughly equal. Not creating districts based on how many R or D districts you can wring out of the map.

 

[Cubo de Sangre]

Basically what you said. Breaking the State up into districts that are roughly equal. Not creating districts based on how many R or D districts you can wring out of the map.

Well then I'll go on record supporting what I said, and fuck any scumbag politicians pulling bullshit to the contrary.

 

[panamaican]

So after having their Voter ID laws struck down, NC just had their district maps struck down for gerrymandering.

The NC GOP was responsible for both of these initiatives and they have been repudiated both times. At this point, I think every sane person will have to acknowledge that some people (of which the NC GOP is probably just the most blatant example) are trying to systematically destroy the right to vote.

It circles back to a fair criticism of the weakening of the Voter Rights Act by the S.Ct. The right to vote and the democratic process is something that requires constant protection from those who seek to undermine the will of the people.

 

[7437]

But black people wont vote for the Gop. They need to not be allowed to vote

 

[Falsedawn]

Just reinforcing Pan's point. NC is dumb as fuck when it comes to disenfranchising people.

When people ask for examples of institutional racism...
-
Pat Mccrory and Republican corruption in North Carolina
-
Incredible victory post by the GOP in North Carolina
-
Voter Suppression: North Carolina playing fast and loose with Voters' Rights
-
NC Republican Party seeks 'party line changes' to limit early voting hours

 

[Headkicktoleg]

If both of these attempts failed I think it shows we are actually protecting voting rights. They made it VERY clear you don't need to show any ID to vote while waiting in line last election.

 

[panamaican]

If both of these attempts failed I think it shows we are actually protecting voting rights. They made it VERY clear you don't need to show any ID to vote while waiting in line last election.

Correct, we need to protect them because there are people attempting to harm them.

 

[Deleted member 429137]

Great thread. I hope some sense gets knocked back into the system.