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North Carolina's congressional districts

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District lines to be used from 2025
District lines for the 2022 elections

North Carolina is currently divided into 14 congressional districts, each represented by a member of the United States House of Representatives. After the 2000 census, the number of North Carolina's seats was increased from 12 to 13 due to the state's increase in population. In the 2022 elections, per the 2020 United States census, North Carolina gained one new congressional seat for a total of 14.[1]

Current districts and representatives

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List of members of the United States House delegation from North Carolina, their terms, their district boundaries, and the district political ratings according to the CPVI. The delegation has a total of 14 members, with 7 Republicans, and 7 Democrats.

Current U.S. representatives from North Carolina
District Member
(Residence)[2] 		Party Incumbent since CPVI
(2022)[3] 		District map
1st
Don Davis
(Snow Hill) 		Democratic January 3, 2023 D+2
2nd
Deborah Ross
(Raleigh) 		Democratic January 3, 2021 D+12
3rd
Greg Murphy
(Greenville) 		Republican September 17, 2019 R+15
4th
Valerie Foushee
(Hillsborough) 		Democratic January 3, 2023 D+16
5th
Virginia Foxx
(Banner Elk) 		Republican January 3, 2005 R+13
6th
Kathy Manning
(Greensboro) 		Democratic January 3, 2021 D+4
7th
David Rouzer
(Wilmington) 		Republican January 3, 2015 R+8
8th
Dan Bishop
(Waxhaw) 		Republican September 17, 2019 R+20
9th
Richard Hudson
(Southern Pines) 		Republican January 3, 2013 R+6
10th
Patrick McHenry
(Lake Norman of Catawba) 		Republican January 3, 2005 R+22
11th
Chuck Edwards
(Flat Rock) 		Republican January 3, 2023 R+8
12th
Alma Adams
(Charlotte) 		Democratic November 4, 2014 D+13
13th
Wiley Nickel
(Cary) 		Democratic January 3, 2023 R+2
14th
Jeff Jackson
(Charlotte) 		Democratic January 3, 2023 D+6
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1981 redistricting

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See also: 1980 United States redistricting cycle

In 1981, the North Carolina General Assembly proposed a congressional redistricting plan that split Moore County between two districts, the first time a county in North Carolina had ever been thus divided. The Attorney General of North Carolina recommended revising the plan.[4]

Constitutionality of the 1990 redistricting

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See also: 1990 United States redistricting cycle

After the 1990 census, the US Department of Justice directed North Carolina under VRA preclearance to submit a map with two majority-minority districts. The resultant map with two such congressional districts, the 1st and 12th, was the subject of lawsuits by voters who claimed that it was an illegal racial gerrymander. A three-judge panel of the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina dismissed the suit, which was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court. On June 28, 1993, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Shaw v. Reno, found that the 12th congressional district was an unlawful racial gerrymander. Justice Sandra Day O'Connor's opinion found that if a district's shape, like the 12th's, was "so bizarre on its face that it is 'unexplainable on grounds other than race'", that it would be subject to strict scrutiny as a racial gerrymander, and remanded the case to the Eastern District of North Carolina.

On August 22, 1994, the Eastern District of North Carolina on remand in Shaw v. Hunt found that the 12th congressional district was a racial gerrymander (as the U.S. Supreme Court had directed), but ruled that the map satisfied strict scrutiny due to the compelling interest of compliance with the Voting Rights Act and increasing black political power.[5] This was again appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which reversed the Eastern District of North Carolina on June 13, 1996, and found that the North Carolina plan violated the Equal Protection Clause and that the 12th congressional district did not satisfy a compelling interest.[6]

Constitutionality of the 1997 redistricting

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North Carolina drew a new map following Shaw v. Hunt, and the new maps were challenged in turn. A three-judge panel of the Eastern District of North Carolina granted summary judgment that the new boundaries were an illegal racial gerrymander.[7] This was appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which in Hunt v. Cromartie on May 17, 1999, unanimously ruled that the Eastern District of North Carolina was in error to grant summary judgment and remanded the case for the court to hold a trial.

After the ensuing trial, the Eastern District of North Carolina ruled that the 12th district was an illegal racial gerrymander on March 7, 2000.[8] This was again appealed, now as Easley v. Cromartie. The U.S. Supreme Court on April 18, 2001, reversed the Eastern District of North Carolina and ruled that the 12th district boundaries were not racially based but was a partisan gerrymander. They said this was a political question that the courts should not rule upon. Justice O'Connor, the author of Shaw v. Hunt, was the swing justice who switched sides to uphold the district boundaries.

Constitutionality of the 2010 redistricting

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See also: 2010 United States redistricting cycle

In February 2016, a three-judge panel of U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit and Middle District of North Carolina judges ruled that the 1st and 12th congressional districts' boundaries were unconstitutional and required new maps to be drawn by the legislature to be used for the 2016 election.[9] On 22 May 2017, the U.S. Supreme Court, in Cooper v. Harris, agreed that the 1st and 12th congressional district boundaries were unlawful racial gerrymanders, the latest in a series of cases dating back to 1993 by different parties challenging various configurations of those districts since their first creation.[10][11]

In January 2018 a federal court struck down North Carolina's congressional map, declaring it unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republican candidates. The court ordered that the General Assembly must redraw the district maps prior to the 2018 elections.[12] However, the U.S. Supreme Court stayed the federal court order pending review,[13] and in June 2019, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in Rucho v. Common Cause, by a 5–4 vote, that partisan gerrymandering is a "political question" that the federal courts have no place to rule on.[14][15]

Constitutionality of the 2017 redistricting

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This image shows the previous congressional districts, which were struck down on January 9, 2018 by a federal court.[16][12] Due to a stay on the decision by the U.S. Supreme Court, these districts were used in the 2018 midterm elections pending appeal. In 2020 a new set of districts were used. Those districts officially went into effect on January 3, 2021.

On September 3, 2019, a three-judge panel in a 357-page ruling unanimously struck down the Republican-led state legislature drawn 2017 enacted maps,[17] which were drawn to replace the 2011 maps which were also ruled unconstitutional and thrown out on racial grounds.[18] The court ruled that the state House and state Senate districts maps were such an extreme partisan gerrymander that they violated the state constitution. In the ruling the state legislature was ordered by the court to immediately start drawing new maps; the court demanded that they be drawn based on criteria like population, contiguity, and county lines. Districts had to be drawn without "partisan considerations and election results data," and done so in plain view, a departure from the closed-door processes the ruling eschews. "At a minimum, that would require all map drawing to occur at public hearings, with any relevant computer screen visible to legislators and public observers." The judges said the new maps had to be completed in two weeks; they also said they reserved the right to move the 2020 primary election if needed.[19]

In October 2019, a panel of three judges ruled that the map was an unfair partisan gerrymander and had to be redrawn.[20] On November 15, 2019, the General Assembly passed a bill that drew new districts that were used for the 2020 elections. The 2nd and 6th congressional districts were drawn to be more favorable to Democrats under the new proposal.[21] On December 2, 2019, a three-judge panel ruled that newly Republican-drawn congressional district maps completed in November 2019 would stand for federal elections in 2020. The maps allowed to stay in place would only be used once. After the 2020 census, the congressional districts would have to be redrawn again.[22]

Constitutionality of the 2020 redistricting

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See also: 2020 United States redistricting cycle
Congressional district plans passed by the North Carolina General Assembly on November 4, 2021 (top) and February 17, 2022 (bottom), both of which have been struck down by state courts.

On February 4, 2022, the North Carolina Supreme Court struck down the congressional and state legislative district maps drawn by the GOP-controlled General Assembly as an unconstitutional partisan gerrymander in a 4–3 ruling, after a testimony had shown that Republicans were likely to win 10 out of 14 U.S. House seats under the proposed map, an increase from the eight out of 13 that they won in the 2020 elections. New maps, which were ordered to be fair in partisan composition, had to be drawn by the General Assembly within two weeks, under state law.[23]

On February 23, 2022, a panel of three former judges chosen by the Wake County Superior Court drew and approved a new remedial congressional map after the court, earlier that day, struck down the congressional district maps passed by the General Assembly on February 17, 2022, as not meeting standards of partisan fairness. The new maps, which were upheld by the North Carolina Supreme Court later in the night, would apply for the 2022 elections. The General Assembly would then be able to redraw new congressional maps for use in 2024 and subsequent elections until new maps will have to be redrawn for 2032.[24][25]

Later developments

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On April 28, 2023, the North Carolina Supreme Court—after Republicans gained a majority in the court following the 2022 judicial elections—overturned the same ruling in a 5–2 decision, which cleared the way for gerrymandering in the next redistricting cycle.[26][27] On October 25, 2023, new maps were approved by the General Assembly. All three new maps heavily favor the GOP, with allegations of racial bias made against the maps as well. Compared to the congressional map used in the 2022 elections, the GOP is expected to at least gain three seats in the House.[28][29][30]

In December 2023, two lawsuit were filed in the Middle District of North Carolina, with the first challenging the 1st, 6th, 12th, and 14th congressional districts in the map,[31][32] and the second, challenging multiple specific districts in the congressional and state legislative district maps, as racial gerrymanders.[33][34][35] Both lawsuits were consolidated together in March 2024.[36][37]

Historical and present district boundaries

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Table of United States congressional district boundary maps in the State of North Carolina, presented chronologically.[38] All redistricting events that took place in North Carolina between 1973 and 2013 are shown, congressional composition is listed on the right.

Year Statewide map Charlotte highlight Congressional composition
1973–1983 1973–1975: 7 Democrats, 4 Republicans

1975–1977: 9 Democrats, 2 Republicans

1977–1979: 9 Democrats, 2 Republicans

1979–1981: 9 Democrats, 2 Republicans

1981–1983: 7 Democrats, 4 Republicans

1983–1993 1983–1985: 9 Democrats, 2 Republicans

1985–1987: 6 Democrats, 5 Republicans

1987–1989: 8 Democrats, 3 Republicans

1989–1991: 8 Democrats, 3 Republicans

1991–1993: 7 Democrats, 4 Republicans

1993–1999 1993–1995: 8 Democrats, 4 Republicans

1995–1997: 4 Democrats, 8 Republicans

1997–1999: 6 Democrats, 6 Republicans

1999–2001 1999–2001: 5 Democrats, 7 Republicans
2001–2003 2001–2003: 5 Democrats, 7 Republicans
2003–2013 2003–2005: 6 Democrats, 7 Republicans

2005–2007: 6 Democrats, 7 Republicans

2007–2009: 7 Democrats, 6 Republicans

2009–2011: 8 Democrats, 5 Republicans

2011–2013: 7 Democrats, 6 Republicans

2013–2017 2013–2015: 4 Democrats, 9 Republicans

2015–2017: 3 Democrats, 10 Republicans

2017–2021 2017–2019: 3 Democrats, 10 Republicans

2019–2021: 3 Democrats, 10 Republicans

2021–2023 2021–2023: 5 Democrats, 8 Republicans
2023–2025
North Carolina Congressional Districts since 2023 (Special Masters Remedial Plan).svg
 2023–2025: 7 Democrats, 7 Republicans
From 2025

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Merica, Dan; Stark, Liz (April 26, 2021). "Census Bureau announces 331 million people in US, Texas will add two congressional seats". CNN. Retrieved April 26, 2021.
  2. ^ "Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives". clerk.house.gov. Retrieved January 6, 2022.
  3. ^ "2022 Cook PVI: District Map and List". The Cook Political Report. July 12, 2022. Retrieved January 7, 2023.
  4. ^ Powell, William S.; Criner, Allyson C. (2006). "Civil Rights Movement Part 6: Continued Civil Rights Battles in the State". NCPedia. North Carolina Government & Heritage Library. Retrieved December 11, 2022.
  5. ^ "Shaw v. Hunt, 861 F. Supp. 408 (E.D.N.C. 1994)". Justia Law. Retrieved August 1, 2023.
  6. ^ "Shaw v. Hunt, 517 U.S. 899 (1996)". Justia Law. Retrieved September 28, 2023.
  7. ^ "Cromartie v. Hunt, 34 F. Supp. 2d 1029 (E.D.N.C. 1998)".
  8. ^ "Cromartie v. Hunt, 133 F. Supp. 2d 407 (E.D.N.C. 2000)".
  9. ^ Blythe, Anne (February 5, 2016). "Federal court invalidates maps of two NC congressional districts". The Charlotte Observer. Archived from the original on September 29, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  10. ^ "Supreme Court tosses Republican-drawn North Carolina voting districts". Reuters. May 22, 2017. Archived from the original on May 22, 2017. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  11. ^ Stern, Mark Joseph (May 22, 2017). "In Cooper v. Harris, the Supreme Court strikes a blow against racial redistricting". Slate Magazine. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 29, 2019.
  12. ^ a b Blinder, Alan (January 9, 2018). "North Carolina Congressional Map Ruled Unconstitutionally Gerrymandered". The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved January 9, 2018.
  13. ^ "Supreme Court Blocks Redrawing of North Carolina Congressional Maps". Reuters. Retrieved January 20, 2018.
  14. ^ Liptak, Adam (June 27, 2019). "Supreme Court Says Constitution Does Not Bar Partisan Gerrymandering". The New York Times. Retrieved June 27, 2019.
  15. ^ Supreme Court of the United States supremecourt.gov
  16. ^ "North Carolina General Assembly - 2016 Contingent Congressional Plan - Corrected*". Archived from the original on April 16, 2016.
  17. ^ "Common Cause v. Representative David R Lewis, et al. Judgement" (PDF). CommonCause.org. September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  18. ^ Doran, Will (September 3, 2019). "After maps struck down in NC gerrymandering lawsuit, top Republican leader won't appeal". Herald Sun. Retrieved September 7, 2019.
  19. ^ Timm, Jane C. (September 4, 2019). "North Carolina judges slam GOP gerrymandering in stinging ruling, reject district maps". NBC News. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  20. ^ Williams, Pete (August 28, 2019). "Court throws out North Carolina's congressional district maps". NBC News. Archived from the original on October 29, 2019. Retrieved October 28, 2019.
  21. ^ "House Bill 1029 / SL 2019-249 (2019-2020 Session) - North Carolina General Assembly". www.ncleg.gov.
  22. ^ Timm, Jane C. (December 2, 2019). "In blow to North Carolina Democrats, court rules new GOP-drawn voting maps can be used for 2020". NBC News. Retrieved December 3, 2019.
  23. ^ "NC Supreme Court strikes down redrawn voting maps". WTVD. February 5, 2022. Archived from the original on February 5, 2022. Retrieved February 8, 2022.
  24. ^ Wilkie, Jordan (February 23, 2022). "All sides appeal redistricting decision to NC Supreme Court". Carolina Public Press. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  25. ^ Doyle, Steve (February 23, 2022). "Check out new election maps: NC Supreme Court rejects appeals, approves special masters' districts". WGHP. Archived from the original on February 24, 2022. Retrieved February 24, 2022.
  26. ^ Timm, Jane C. (April 28, 2023). "N.C.'s new GOP-controlled high court reverses itself on gerrymandering and voter ID". NBC News. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  27. ^ Zach, Montellaro; Josh, Gerstein; Ally, Mutnick (April 28, 2023). "North Carolina Supreme Court clears way for partisan gerrymandering". POLITICO. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  28. ^ Robertson, Gary D. (October 25, 2023). "North Carolina Republicans put exclamation mark on pivotal annual session with redistricting maps". AP News. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  29. ^ Lopez, Ashley (October 25, 2023). "North Carolina lawmakers approve maps creating gains for the GOP in Congress". NPR. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  30. ^ Schouten, Fredreka; Gallagher, Dianne (October 25, 2023). "North Carolina legislature approves map that could help Republicans gain at least 3 House seats in 2024". CNN Politics. Retrieved October 26, 2023.
  31. ^ Robertson, Gary D. (December 4, 2023). "New North Carolina congressional districts challenged in federal court on racial bias claims". AP News. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  32. ^ Gallagher, Dianne (December 5, 2023). "Lawsuit seeks to block North Carolina congressional map, alleging it discriminates against minority voters". CNN Politics. Retrieved December 9, 2023.
  33. ^ Robertson, Gary D. (December 19, 2023). "North Carolina's election maps for 2024 are racially biased, advocates say in lawsuit". AP News. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  34. ^ Selzer, Rachel (December 19, 2023). "Civil Rights Groups and Black Voters Sue Over New North Carolina Maps". Democracy Docket. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  35. ^ Bonner, Lynn (December 19, 2024). "Voting rights groups file sweeping lawsuit against NC redistricting plans". NC Newsline. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  36. ^ "North Carolina Congressional Redistricting Challenge (2023)". Democracy Docket. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  37. ^ "North Carolina 2023 Redistricting Challenge". Democracy Docket. March 19, 2024. Retrieved March 28, 2024.
  38. ^ "Digital Boundary Definitions of United States Congressional Districts, 1789–2012". Retrieved October 18, 2014.
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