Redistricting and Gerrymandering in North Carolina: Battlelines in the Tar Heel State

This book provides a historical and contemporary overview of redistricting in North Carolina, highlighting the state's political, electoral, and legal issues and debates over the practice. North Carolina has been a notable case study for the past thirty years, with significant U.S. Supreme Court cases dealing with redistricting controversies. By exploring the state's dealings with gerrymandering and redistricting, readers gain a better understanding of the dynamics facing the nation as it prepares for the 2020 Census and subsequent redistricting efforts in 2021.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 161 pages
Publication date: 16 September 2022
Publisher: Springer Nature Switzerland AG

This comprehensive book provides a thorough historical and contemporary analysis of the redistricting process, focusing on North Carolina as a case study for various political, electoral, and legal issues surrounding the practice of drawing legislative district boundaries. Redistricting has been widely recognized as one of the most politically charged activities in American politics, and North Carolina has frequently been at the center of recent controversies related to this practice. In fact, the Tar Heel State has a long history of contentious reapportionment, earning it a reputation as a notorious example of such practices. Over the past three decades, North Carolina has served as a prominent case study, exploring a range of redistricting principles and challenges, including gerrymandering based on race and politics. The state's experiences have been closely examined by the U.S. Supreme Court, resulting in several significant rulings that have shaped the landscape of redistricting across the country. By delving into North Carolina's history of gerrymandering and redistricting, readers gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics and challenges facing the nation as it prepares for the 2020 Census and the subsequent redistricting efforts in 2021. This book offers valuable insights into the complex and contentious issues surrounding redistricting, providing a valuable resource for policymakers, scholars, and interested individuals alike.

Introduction:
Redistricting, the process of drawing boundaries for legislative districts, has been a contentious issue in American politics for decades. North Carolina has been no exception, with its history of redistricting controversies and legal challenges. In this book, we will explore the historical and contemporary aspects of redistricting in North Carolina, focusing on the political, electoral, and legal issues and debates surrounding the practice.
Historical Overview:
North Carolina has a long and complex history of redistricting. The state's first redistricting occurred in 1868, following the Civil War and the abolition of slavery. The process was marked by political maneuvering and controversy, with both Democrats and Republicans seeking to gain advantage in the state legislature. Over the years, redistricting has become increasingly political, with politicians using the process to gain control of legislative seats and influence policy outcomes.
Contemporary Issues:
In recent years, North Carolina has been at the forefront of redistricting controversies. One of the most notable issues has been gerrymandering, the practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that favors a particular political party or group. Gerrymandering has been a controversial issue in many states, but North Carolina has been particularly affected by it. In 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in the case of Gill v. Whitford that partisan gerrymandering is unconstitutional, a decision that has had significant implications for redistricting in North Carolina and other states.
Legal Challenges:
Redistricting has also been the subject of numerous legal challenges in North Carolina. In 2000, the state's Supreme Court ruled in the case of Shaw v. Hunt that the state's congressional redistricting plan was unconstitutional, a decision that led to a new redistricting plan being drawn. In 2016, the court ruled in the case of Moore v. Harper that the state's legislative redistricting plan was unconstitutional, a decision that has led to ongoing legal challenges and uncertainty about the future of redistricting in North Carolina.
Conclusion:
Redistricting is a complex and contentious issue that has significant implications for American politics and society. North Carolina has been a notable case study for the past three decades, with its history of redistricting controversies and legal challenges. While the practice of redistricting may continue to be a source of controversy, it is important to understand the historical and contemporary issues surrounding it in order to make informed decisions about the future of our democracy.

Weight: 239g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783030807498
Edition number: 1st ed. 2021