Committee Publicly Tackles Redistricting

RALEIGH -- The words gerrymandering, partisan politics and fairness were heard time and again Wednesday night in the auditorium of the N.C. Legislative Building.

The Committee on Legislative Redistricting held a public hearing to allow citizens to voice their concerns about the Democratic redistricting plan being considered by the House legislators.

Those in attendance were greeted by two large maps placed prominently at the front of the auditorium. The maps depicted the current N.C. House plan and the Sutton redistricting plan proposed by House Democrats.

About 100 people were in attendance at the redistricting hearing, and they heard a series of five-minute speeches given by 23 concerned North Carolinians. Speakers ranged from a retired school teacher to the redistricting committee co-chairmen Reps. Larry Justus, R-Henderson, and Ronnie Sutton, D-Hoke.

No date has been set for a formal House vote on the redistricting proposal. "Until last Thursday, I thought this process was going to be fair," Justus announced at the beginning of his five-minute speech.

He said he was shocked last Thursday when he learned that only one map, the Sutton map, would be put before the House for a vote.

Justus said he underwent the painstaking process of developing a redistricting proposal with the assurance that both the Republican and Democratic maps for redistricting would be considered in the process. But the Sutton map was chosen to appear before the House, and the Justus map was scrapped.

Other speakers addressed a variety of issues associated with the redistricting proposal, but few expressed contentment with the Sutton plan. "Precincts will be split to the point that citizens will find it confusing to vote," said Lula Crenshaw of Cumberland County.

Another Cumberland County resident expressed concern about the effect the plan could have on voter participation. "(Redistricting) serves to confuse an already apathetic voter base," said Troy Williams. "Your proposal may crunch the numbers, but it lacks logical sense."

Other speakers said the plan is unconstitutional and disenfranchises voters. "Our right to elect our representatives and not have them elect us is on the line," said Ashley Stephenson of Beaufort County.

A voice of approval for the plan was heard among the angry crowd when Paul Fogleman of Catawba County took the microphone. "The Sutton plan reflects exactly what we want," Fogleman said.

Justus was not the only representative who voiced opposition to the Sutton plan. During his speech, Rep. J. Russell Capps, R-Durham, held up a map displaying a proposed district he claimed closely resembled a turkey. "This map shows what a stupid, unfair district is," said Capps. "I don't care whether I come back. Fairness for the people is what matters."

After the hearing Sutton said those opposing the plan were not objective. "Fairness is like beauty, it's in the eyes of the beholder."

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