Gerrymandering in your Face: Mid-decade threat to fair maps

Polling and political analysis have determined the top issues for North Carolina voters include the economy, health care, election integrity and immigration. Yet the majority in the North Carolina legislature is currently pursuing mid-decade redistricting instead of addressing these priorities or passing a state budget. 

The focus has turned to redrawing  North Carolina’s federal voting maps outside the normal redistricting cycle — likely starting with the state’s historic Black Belt congressional district, Congressional District 1 (CD1). North Carolina could see a new congressional map for the 2026 election cycle with a vote potentially looming within the next week. Rather than listening to constituents, legislators in Raleigh are moving to alter the state’s only opportunity district for Black voters with zero deliberation or public input.

“We are doing everything we can to protect President Trump’s agenda, which means safeguarding Republican control of Congress.” — Sen. Phil Berger, Oct. 13, 2025.

Sen. Berger’s statement highlights a broader concern: when redistricting becomes explicitly tied to partisan advantage rather than fair representation, it raises questions about whose interests are being prioritized. This pattern of mid-decade redistricting for partisan gain is not unique to one party — both Democrats and Republicans have engaged in such practices when in power. However, regardless of which party does it, mid-decade redistricting for partisan advantage undermines democratic representation.

What makes the announcement particularly troubling is that legislators are prioritizing voting map changes over passing a state budget or addressing the critical needs of North Carolinians. When the redistricting process becomes a tool for partisan control rather than fair representation, all voters lose

Currently, North Carolina Republicans have 10 of 14 seats in the U.S. House. With a new congressional map, projections suggest an 11-3 advantage. This deliberate effort, taken from the Texas gerrymandering playbook, would further diminish the voting power of North Carolinians and turn an already lopsided congressional map into a landslide for Republicans, who would control nearly 80% of the state’s congressional delegation.

Why is CD1 important?

The North Carolina Black Belt congressional district generally refers to N.C.’s 1st Congressional District, which contains many of the historically Black-majority or heavily Black-population counties in eastern and northeastern North Carolina. Over the years, it has often been considered the “Black Belt” district because of its demographic composition and historical political significance. CD1 hasn’t elected a Republican since 1883, and African Americans have represented the district since 1992. The district’s boundaries have changed due to redistricting, so the exact set of counties included can differ depending on the map cycle. CD1 is home to some of the oldest Black communities in the U.S. and has a centuries-long legacy of political organizing.

Our commitment to fair maps

NC Black Alliance and our partners have continually been on the front lines of the ongoing battle for fair maps in North Carolina. We recognize that partisan and racial gerrymandering is nothing new to our state. Gerrymandering by either party diminishes voter choice and accountability. However, this current move is a bold, brazen attempt to dilute the power of the people. Under normal circumstances, states draw districts once every 10 years unless they are ordered to do mid-decade redistricting by the courts. No one has ordered, requested or prefers this mid-cycle redistricting attempt. North Carolina voters want to be the ones to draw fair voting maps. The majority of voters support the establishment of a bipartisan citizens commission to draw fair voting maps for North Carolina. Because all North Carolinians live in distorted districts, we are all CD1. 

What voters can do

When legislators prioritize redistricting over pressing issues like economic relief, healthcare access, job creation, and environmental protection, all voters—regardless of party affiliation—lose representation on the issues that matter most to their daily lives.

Voters can no longer sit on the sidelines and watch elected officials flex intentional power grabs that aren’t putting food on the table, raising incomes, creating jobs, creating access to health care or mitigating harmful environmental impacts in communities. If you’re tired of seeing redistricting prioritized over the issues that matter to your family and community, let your elected officials know. 

Fair maps benefit all voters by ensuring elected officials are accountable to their constituents, not the other way around. When maps are drawn by those in power, regardless of party, the process lacks the accountability and transparency that North Carolinians deserve.

Remember, we are all CD1.