Legislative districts not the only ones that need to be redrawn

by Gene Arnold, former legislator from Nash County and NC SPIN panelist, September 5, 2018.

Gerrymandering is a portmanteau of the last name of Elbridge Gerry and a salamander.  Elbridge was Governor of Massachusetts in 1812, and wanted to create a voting district which favored a state senator in his Democrat-Republican Party.  When the district lines were completed they resembled a salamander.  Unfortunately for the Governor, his state senator was elected but the House and Governorship were lost to the Federalist Party.  A well deserved outcome for trying to control an election.  

Not much has changed since then.  Of course the Democrat party in North Carolina did this same gerrymandering for over 100 years to stay in power.  Each year the Republicans would moan and groan and ask for an independent source to draw the districts.  Now, with the Republicans currently in control, the Democrats moan and groan for an independent source to draw the districts.

 With the Court of Appeals  Judges trying to force a redraw of the Congressional districts, there is suddenly not enough time for the ballots to be printed.  I seriously doubt a completely ‘fair’ district can be drawn to satisfy the courts, the democrats , the republicans or any other entity desiring a fair chance at the poles.

North Carolina will always be under suspicion from the US Department of Justice and the watchful scrutiny of other legal entities.  Remember when school districts had to be approved by the Justice Department.  If you include the requirement for diversity, the requirement for racial equity, the requirement to meet population equity and the requirement to satisfy all political parties, there is little opportunity for an acceptable district to be drawn.  No one has considered the biggest problem to filling all these ‘requirements’ and that is to find a decent candidate who is electable.  

If, however, by some small chance there is a genius lurking in the shadows who can actually meet these requirements, then please let him come forward and risk his life to correct our problem.  While this person is undertaking this dauntless task, please also consider making the several other districts which require voters to participate to be drawn at the same time.  I am referring to school districts, city districts, county districts, judicial lines, commissions and any other state or federal district needed.  Obviously, gerrymandering has not been lost on just state or federal districts.  My county required over two dozen different ballots to be printed to satisfy the difference in the districts.  That is very expensive to accomplish.

There is one last consideration to be taken, and that is once the lines are drawn and approved, there needs to be a law that no one can move out of their district unless it is required for burial.