The American Democracy Minute Radio News Report & Podcast for Oct. 16, 2025
North Carolina already has an “F” grade from the Princeton Gerrymandering Project for having extremely uncompetitive voting districts. Nonetheless, its state house speaker announced Oct. 13th the legislature would gerrymander another GOP congressional seat before the 2026 midterms. It’s the latest GOP attempt to cling to power in the U.S. House.
In a social media post, North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall said, “We will stand with the President, defend the GOP majority, and secure an additional Republican congressional seat,” UNQUOTE after an agreement was reached between House & Senate leadership, according to North Carolina Newsline.
The state has a Democratic governor, and Trump won North Carolina over Harris by a narrow margin, 50.9% to 47.6%, but Speaker Hall noted in his post that QUOTE “@POTUS ’s victory sent a clear message: the voters are with him.” Currently, the GOP holds 10 of 14 of North Carolina’s U.S. House seats.
GOP efforts in Texas, Missouri, and Utah have been challenged in the courts. But the GOP holds a 5-2 majority in the North Carolina Supreme Court, and its decisions have favored the legislature in recent years. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that federal courts have no role in partisan gerrymandering disputes.
Action on a new congressional district map will begin the week of October 20th.
We have local reporting linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
Princeton Gerrymandering Project – North Carolina Scored Maps from the Redistricting Report Card
WUNC – NC Republicans plan to redraw map to pick up an additional Congressional seat
NC Newsline – North Carolina Republicans plan to redraw state’s congressional districts
The Hill – North Carolina GOP launches redistricting effort
North Carolina Legislature – Legislative and Congressional Redistricting
Ballotpedia – North Carolina Supreme Court
Common Cause NC – Politicians in NC legislature announce shameful scheme to further rig North Carolina’s voting maps
Groups Taking Action:
Common Cause North Carolina, North Carolina For the People, Democracy North Carolina
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – How to Register And Vote in Your State
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