Draft Congressional Maps Put 2 Incumbents In Same District
Republican lawmakers in North Carolina have drawn a proposed congressional redistricting map that would put two incumbents in the same district and create a new Charlotte-area district without an incumbent.
The boundaries released Wednesday attempt to respond to a federal court ruling that struck down the 1st and 12th Districts. Republicans disagree with the ruling but created new lines to ensure they meet the judges' order that a new map be drawn by Friday. The U.S. Supreme Court is weighing whether to stop that order.
One of the biggest changes would eliminate the snakelike 12th District, which under the new map would only encompass Mecklenburg County.
U.S. Rep. Alma Adams, a Greensboro Democrat who represents the 12th, would be inserted into a new 13th District stretching west from Guilford County into Iredell and Davie counties — both Republican strongholds. Members of Congress aren't required to live in their district, but it's considered advantageous to do so.
The map puts Reps. George Holding and David Price in the same Triangle-area district.
Legislators Return To Raleigh For Congressional Map Redraw
North Carolina legislators are heading back to Raleigh to pass laws about two months earlier than expected due to the redistricting court ruling.
The General Assembly is set to reconvene this morning for a special session to redraw the congressional district map. A panel of federal judges found lines for two districts unconstitutional racial gerrymanders. Gov. Pat McCrory issued the session proclamation late Wednesday.
Republican lawmakers disagree with the judges' ruling and have asked the U.S. Supreme Court to step in. Work during the session may be moot if the Supreme Court enters a stay.
Without redistricting, legislators were supposed to reconvene next for regular business in late April.
Last Day To Register For March Primary Is Friday
North Carolina voters have until Friday to register to be able to cast a ballot in the March 15th primary.
Registration forms need to be hand-delivered by 5pm Friday or postmarked by Friday in order to be valid.
The News and Record of Greensboro reports that in most races, voters will whittle down the candidates to see who will be on the November general election ballot. The primary was moved up from May to give voters more of a say on presidential nominees.
This will be the first election in North Carolina where voters will be required to show a valid voter ID at the polls. Elections officials say there are exceptions to this rule, and that no voter will be turned away.
UNC-Greensboro To Reconsider Honoring Former Gov. Aycock
University Of North Carolina at Greensboro trustees are deciding whether to rename a building remembering a controversial governor.
UNCG trustees are expected to decide at their meetings Thursday or Friday whether to rename a 1,600-seat auditorium honoring Gov. Charles Aycock, who led the state from 1901 to 1905.
Aycock promoted education but also led white supremacist campaigns at the turn of the 20th century.
Duke University and East Carolina University have dropped Aycock's name from campus buildings in the past two years.
Aycock is one of two North Carolinians honored with a statue in the U.S. Capitol building. His likeness will be replaced with the Rev. Billy Graham after the 97-year-old evangelist's death.
Report Shows Rise In Infant Mortality Rates Among Minorities
A new report shows infant mortality rates are on the rise among minorities in the state. The annual North Carolina Child Health Report Card was released Tuesday. It reveals the number of Hispanic and American Indian deaths increase by 25 percent since 2010. Rates rose slightly for black infants as well.
The number of white infant deaths has declined in recent years, however. Overall progress in combating infant mortality was given a “C” grade in the report.
North Carolina has historically had some of the highest rates of infant mortality in the country.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.