ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina lawmakers are once again redrawing the state’s congressional districts, prompting sharp criticism from Democrats and voting rights groups who say the new maps would give Republicans an overwhelming advantage in a politically divided state.
The state Senate approved the new congressional map Tuesday along party lines after several days of heated debate. The measure now moves to the GOP-controlled House, where it is expected to pass easily. Democratic Gov. Josh Stein has no power to veto redistricting legislation.
Supporters, including former President Donald Trump, praised the new maps as “fair and improved,” with Trump urging Republican legislators to “work as hard as they can to pass this new map” in a message on his Facebook account.
Democrats, however, condemned the proposal as blatant gerrymandering. Rep. Brian Turner (D-Buncombe) said he was driving to Raleigh to vote on the map instead of addressing what he called more urgent issues — including a months-late state budget, a $300 million Medicaid funding shortfall and continued recovery efforts from Tropical Storm Helene.
Turner said the redistricting effort was aimed at giving “more power to the man who, on a weekend of millions peacefully protesting and exercising their 1st Amendment rights, posted AI videos of himself sh*tting on those Americans” protesting peacefully, an apparent reference to Trump.
“North Carolina and America deserves better,” Turner said, urging voters to “restore a sense of fairness, civility and rule of law” in the 2026 elections.
Voting rights advocates also denounced the plan. Democracy North Carolina called it “a disaster for voters,” noting that 12 counties would be split 15 times and that the map dismantles District 1, a historically Black opportunity district. The group said the new boundaries would give Republicans control of nearly 80 percent of the state’s 14 congressional seats despite North Carolina’s nearly even partisan split.
The redistricting vote follows a series of recent demonstrations by the No Kings protest movement, which has called for stronger democratic safeguards and an end to partisan manipulation of voting districts.
If approved by the House, the new congressional map would take effect ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.
