Editorial: Independent redistricting for N.C.

The Daily Reflector
November 16, 2010

The introduction of a new Republican majority in the North Carolina General Assembly should offer a stark improvement in at least one aspect of state government. Leaders of the new majority recognize the inequality and penchant for corruption inherent in the present system of drawing legislative districts, a responsibility they will have in the coming session.

N.C. Sen. Phil Berger, the likely president pro tem of the Senate next year, has consistently advocated for removing the process from legislative hands to ensure its independence, and has pushed to amend the state Constitution to do so. He may not get his wish in time for next year's redistricting, but North Carolina should expect a more transparent and fair process when the legislature takes up the matter in January.

Ten years ago, the General Assembly dove into redistricting in its common fashion. The proposed maps protected long-time incumbents, particularly those in the Democratic Party, and divided counties and communities with reckless abandon. The resulting maps looked like a jigsaw puzzle, with haphazard districts preserving legislative power and settling political scores against the minority.

Republican leaders condemned the maps, as did many independent government observers. That was true in a divided Pitt County, which saw hope of legislative influence disappear by its incorporation into districts involving neighboring counties. Though this county, and Greenville in particular, continues to grow in population and as a voice for eastern North Carolina, it received little deference from legislative leadership.

A resulting court case rejected those maps, delayed primary elections and ultimately saw a judge impose his own maps on the state. While those looked more fair, it was a usurping of the Assembly's power, one that resulted from Democratic leaders choosing to protect their interests rather than working on the people's behalf.

Next year, Republicans will have the opportunity to demonstrate they can exercise greater responsibility when given the same task. Berger is among those who argue that political influence should be minimized in this process, and that independent judicial panels would be better suited to drawing district lines. He is correct in that view and the process will be served should the new legislature pursue such a plan.

In the meantime, though, Republican lawmakers will need to eschew any desire to exact retribution on their vanquished opponents. They should act with transparency and fairness, avoiding the abuses that have been an unfortunate hallmark of previous redistricting efforts.