The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for June 19, 2025
The North Carolina legislature once again finds itself in federal court for two racial gerrymandering cases in a trial beginning June 16th. Voters and three pro-voter groups accuse GOP leaders of violating the 14th and 15th Amendments to the U.S. Constitution, and the 1965 Voting Rights Act.
The cases were brought in late 2023 by Black North Carolina voters, the Southern Coalition for Social Justice, the state NAACP, and Common Cause. They contend that GOP legislators intentionally diluted Black voting power in the so-called Black Belt and other regions, affecting nine state House districts, five state Senate districts, and six Congressional districts.
The original complaint contends, QUOTE, “. . . the General Assembly targeted predominantly Black voting precincts with surgical precision throughout the state in drawing and enacting the 2023 Plans, at the expense of traditional redistricting criteria, to achieve preferred district lines that diminish Black voters’ ability to elect candidates of their choice at all levels of government,” UNQUOTE.
The legislature, in a recently familiar refrain, claims the gerrymandering was done for partisan reasons, out of bounds for federal courts, not for racial discrimination reasons. The legislature was accused in 2018 of extreme gerrymandering, and again in 2022’s Moore v. Harper.
The trial is expected to last through July 9th, and a decision before fall.
We’ve linked to local reporting at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Southern Coalition for Social Justice – Case Summary
U.S. District Court – Complaint in NC NAACP v Berger, consolidated into Williams v. Hall
American Redistricting Project – Williams v. Hall Racial Gerrymandering Case
NC Newsline – NC racial gerrymandering trial begins Monday
North State Journal/AP – North Carolina redistricting trial begins
Brennan Center for Justice – (2017) Minority Representation: No Conflict with Fair Maps
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause NC, Southern Coalition for Social Justice, NC State Conference of the NAACP
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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