Overview
- The Senate passed SB249 on a 25–20 party-line vote after committee approval, with a final Senate reading Tuesday before the plan moves to the House.
- The redraw targets eastern North Carolina by shifting Beaufort, Hyde, Dare, Craven, Pamlico and Carteret counties into the 1st District and moving Wilson, Wayne, Greene and Lenoir into the 3rd.
- Map sponsor Sen. Ralph Hise said the sole goal is to secure one additional GOP U.S. House seat, projecting an 11–3 delegation, and he said no racial data was used.
- Democrats and civil-rights advocates say the plan weakens Black representation and is designed to oust Democratic Rep. Don Davis, as protesters gathered in Raleigh.
- North Carolina’s governor cannot veto redistricting, and legal challenges alleging racial vote dilution are expected soon.