North Carolina Republicans have approved new maps that could flip multiple House seats in their favor, drawing immediate ire from state Democrats.
The GOP-led state General Assembly passed maps Wednesday that alter the lines for North Carolina’s 14 U.S. House seats, changes that could give Republicans a leg up in defending their House majority in 2024.
“North Carolina Republicans have just enacted one of the most gerrymandered maps in the country,” the National Democratic Redistricting Committee said in a post on X, formerly known as Twitter.
“NC is a 50/50 state — but you wouldn’t know that from looking at the new maps — which cement an illegitimate advantage for the GOP. It’s shameful & undemocratic.”
The Tar Heel State’s congressional delegation is an even split between Democrats and Republicans in the House, but the new maps could help give Republicans the majority of the 14 seats.
Former Rep. Mark Walker (R-N.C.) announced Wednesday that he’d end his bid for governor to make a run to represent North Carolina’s 6th Congressional District after the new maps were approved.
Rep. Jeff Jackson (D-N.C.) called the maps “a brutal gerrymander” when they were unveiled last week. “Just being honest: I’m probably toast in Congress.”
The North Carolina Supreme Court had previously struck down GOP-drawn maps, contending they went against the state constitution’s barring of extensive partisan gerrymandering.
In April, the North Carolina Supreme Court overruled the previous decision, finding that claims of partisan gerrymandering are political questions that cannot be resolved by the state’s courts.
Under North Carolina law, the new maps aren’t subject to a veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper. However, they are likely to be the subject of lawsuits filed in the weeks ahead.