News

Follow the money: How lawsuits are trying to drive your 2022 elections 

As the Biden administration and Congress struggle with plummeting approval numbers, a battle is being waged in North Carolina and other states over who will control the drawing of congressional districts. The 2022 elections could turn the balance of power to Republicans in Congress.   The latest Cygnal poll shows 51% of likely voters surveyed said...

Donna King
News

National partisan group drives opposition to district maps in N.C., other states

The N.C. House passed its district map proposal during evening sessions Tuesday, Nov. 2. The Senate is expected to vote on the N.C. House district map on Thursday. Redistricting maps do not go before Governor Roy Cooper, a Democrat, driving more pressure on the legislative process by opposition groups. The maps were drawn after more than...

Donna King
News

Senator blasts left-wing redistricting activist’s social media complaint

Complaints on social media from a left-wing redistricting activist are drawing fire from a state Senate redistricting leader. He accuses the activist of “begging” people to deliver her scripted remarks during public hearings. House and Senate redistricting committees scheduled 13 hearings from the mountains to the coast this month, including six this week. Those hearings...

CJ Staff
Opinion

One lawyer’s dream come true: Getting Democrats elected 

Marc Elias, the high-profile Washington, D.C., political operative with a law license, has one goal — getting Democrats elected to office. A crucial 2020 election and coronavirus have Elias believing he’s got an opportunity to put North Carolina in the win column for Democrats with expanded mail voting.  Elias, who the New York Times describes as “one of the most formidable election lawyers...

Amy Cooke
News

Senate passes congressional districts as new legal fight looms

North Carolina is all set for its 2020 congressional and legislative elections. For now. The state Senate adopted the House’s version of the new congressional map Friday, Nov. 15, without approving any additional amendments. In addition, the N.C. Supreme Court has decided not to hear an appeal of redrawn legislative districts plaintiffs challenged as partisan...

Brooke Conrad

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News

Bring it on, GOP says to Holder-led group suing over congressional districts

Go ahead and try to “Sue ‘til you’re blue.”  That’s what leading Republicans said to the Democrats going to court over partisan gerrymanders in North Carolina’s 13 congressional districts.  Harper v. Lewis was filed Friday, Sept. 27, in state court by registered Democratic and unaffiliated voters. The suit closely follows Common Cause v. Lewis, a...

Kari Travis
News

Bad blood from veto override may threaten legislative redistricting fix

It’s time for a break from “summer camp.” Rep. Chuck McGrady, R-Henderson, acknowledged as much Wednesday, Sept. 11, saying the level of trust between N.C. Republicans and Democrats is as “brittle” as he has ever seen. That’s going to have important implications for redistricting reform. After the General Assembly passes its court-ordered maps, lawmakers may...

Brooke Conrad
Opinion

Administration should consider public opinion on expansion of civil forfeiture

Under federal civil asset forfeiture, local and state law enforcement officers can take your property, including cash, if they suspect said property was somehow connected to a crime. You may be charged with a crime, or you may not. It doesn’t matter, because, as it’s technically a civil action, law officials will still take your...