League of Women Voters to host information session about gerrymandering
By News-Argus Staff
Published in News on March 2, 2018 11:00 AM
Full SizeThe League of Women Voters of Wayne County will hold a program Saturday to provide Wayne County residents with updated information on gerrymandering
It also will examine the challenges that it poses to good government in the state, and how it will affect the 2018 elections, League officials said.
The free program will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. in the Wayne County Library, 1001 E. Ash St., and will be open to the public.
Dr. Jennifer Bremer, the League's state chair for fair elections, will explain what gerrymandering is and how it has undermined constitutional rights and influenced the political life of North Carolina -- including how it affects Wayne County specifically, League officials said.
She will provide an update on redistricting court cases, what impact they will have on the upcoming midterm elections and how citizens can combat the threat that gerrymandering poses to democracy, the officials said.
Her presentation is being co-hosted by the state and Wayne County League of Women Voters organizations.
"We're honored to be coming to Goldsboro, where the North Carolina League was founded nearly 100 years ago," said state co-president Janet Hoy. "The League is more committed than ever to making our democracy work for everyone and to strengthening citizen engagement in our elections."
"Goldsboro has been at the center of the fight for fair electoral districts across the state," Bremer said. "N.C. House District 21 and Senate 5 were among the 28 districts found by the federal district court to be racially gerrymandered when the legislature drew the maps in 2011.
"Redrawing them has required changes to all of Wayne County's districts. As a result, many voters will find they are now in new districts for 2018. Now our courts are also being threatened with redistricting or possibly even elimination of elections altogether."
These and other changes will be discussed at the event.
The League encourages the public to come out and learn more about how gerrymandering affects the state, what has been done to combat this harmful practice, and how citizens can get involved in ending it once and for all, Hoy said.
"Voters should choose their representatives having the politicians choose their voters rather than having the politicians choose their voters," Hoy said.