During a committee hearing at the Legislative Office Building in Raleigh, N.C., on Thursday, Oct. 19, 2023, the North Carolina state House reviewed copies of a proposed map for new state House districts. On Friday, Jan. 26, 2024, a judge refused to block the use of two North Carolina Senate districts drawn by Republican legislators for the 2024 elections and declined to order new boundaries, which plaintiffs argued would better ensure Black voters could elect their preferred candidates in one of the districts. (AP Photo/Hannah Schoenbaum)
June 24, 2024 Story by: Editor
Voters Seek Redistricting of Senate Districts
Two Black voters from northeastern North Carolina, Rodney Pierce of Halifax County and Moses Matthews of Martin County, have been pushing for federal courts to address what they allege are racially gerrymandered districts. Their lawsuit, initially filed in November, seeks to have two state Senate districts in the Black Belt region redrawn.
Allegations of Diluted Voting Power
Pierce and Matthews argue that the Senate map divides Black communities across multiple districts, effectively diluting Black voting power in violation of the federal Voting Rights Act. The lawsuit claims that the current districting splits Black Belt counties, thereby weakening the political influence of Black voters.
Legal Challenges and Court Decisions
Despite their efforts, Pierce and Matthews have faced setbacks in court. Federal District Judge James Dever denied their request to block the Senate districts before the November election, citing their failure to meet two of the three required conditions for a determination of vote dilution, according to NC Newsline. Additionally, a federal appeals court ruled 2-1 in March against forcing the Senate to redraw the districts.
Upcoming Trial Date
On Tuesday, Judge Dever set a trial date for February 3. This case is part of a broader context of redistricting lawsuits in North Carolina. Two other lawsuits alleging racial gerrymandering of legislative and congressional districts have been combined and are also scheduled to be heard in federal court next year.
Political Implications
Rodney Pierce, one of the plaintiffs, is likely to become a member of the state House next year. He has already won a Democratic House district primary and faces no opponent in the upcoming November election.
This trial will be closely watched as it has significant implications for the representation and political power of Black communities in northeastern North Carolina. Source: NC News Line
