Redistricting Discussion Proceeds Despite Lawsuit

The lawsuit, which was filed last week in federal court, also says the congressional redistricting plan should include at least two majority-minority districts.

Majority-minority districts contain at least 50 percent minorities with the goal of electing a minority representative.

Sen. Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, said the lawsuit's goal is to force lawmakers to comply with the redistricting requirements of the N.C. Constitution.

Hartsell said that among these requirements is the need to follow a one-man, one-vote proportion of representation.

But Senate Democrats said the suit is a waste of taxpayer money.

"Our folks feel there's no basis for the lawsuit," said Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange. "The map is racially balanced."

Kinnaird said the suit likely would get dismissed quickly but a hearing would last for months.

The Republican Party filed the suit Nov. 13 against House Speaker Jim Black, D-Mecklenburg, challenging how he refused to allow amendments to the plan.

The Senate Congressional Redistricting Committee discussed two alternative plans Tuesday, further delaying the redistricting process. The House approved a plan Thursday.

Hartsell proposed a redistricting plan designed by three school children from Concord. The plan, a result of Odell Elementary's "Project: DuNCecap," forms 13 congressional voting districts based on county lines. "Some people chuckle about it, but these kids address some important concerns," he said.

Hartsell said the plan ignores minority-majority issues, partisan concerns and voting patterns. Instead, the focus is on grouping neighborhoods together.

Hartsell said districts based on county lines allowed voters to elect officials who represent communities rather than ideas.

Committee members also briefly discussed the redistricting plan drawn up by the Democratic co-chairmen of the Senate committee and presented by Co-chairman Sen. Frank Ballance, D-Warren.

Ballance said the Democratic plan largely was based on the House's. He said eight districts were untouched and added that the plan made only minor changes, such as moving precincts, to the other five congressional districts.

Ballance pointed to Union County as an example. The Senate plan moves Union County from districts containing Charlotte suburbs to a more agricultural-based district.

But some Republican legislators said the proposal was flawed.

Sen. Virginia Foxx, R-Guilford, said she could not support either proposal. "Drawing a map to protect incumbents is wrong, and I'm not going to vote for any of these maps."

The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.