Awaiting redistricting decision, lawmakers plan hearings

By GARY D. ROBERTSON
Associated Press

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) – North Carolina legislative leaders have scheduled six public hearings across the state to determine what new congressional maps should look like as they await a decision on whether those maps must be redrawn by next week.

Monday’s meetings are taking place because federal judges last week struck down the 1st and 12th Districts as illegal racial gerrymanders. The judges want new maps by Feb. 19. State attorneys say the maps are legal and should be used in next month’s primary, but they needed a plan if the U.S. Supreme Court doesn’t step in.

Rep. David Lewis says Gov. Pat McCrory could call the entire legislature to Raleigh next Thursday to vote on boundaries if necessary.

One of the meetings will be held in the Wilmington area. It is scheduled for 10 a.m. Monday at Cape Fear Community’s North Campus in Room 338 of the McKeithan Center. Click here to sign up to speak.

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