Oppose more gerrymandering
To the Editor:
After learning that N.C. Senate leader Phil Berger was considering further redistricting in North Carolina, I sent the following petition to Rep. Mark Pless, Sen. Kevin Corbin, U.S. Senators Thom Tillis and Ted Budd on October 10. I encourage all N.C. residents to educate themselves about this issue and communicate with their representatives:
Thank you for your service. I am writing to you as a constituent from Haywood County. I am very concerned about the integrity of our elections in N.C. and the nation.
The President’s call for Republican-led states to draw new maps ahead of schedule to ensure continued GOP control in the U.S. House of Representatives has triggered a nationwide race to rig election maps ahead of the midterm election. Senate Leader Berger has expressed a willingness to comply, even though N.C. is already one of the most gerrymandered states in the country.
I call attention to the Opinion Diagnostics poll of state voters cited by N.C. Newsline, which found that “84% of all voters, including strong majorities in both parties, say redrawing voting maps for partisan advantage is “never acceptable” and districts should be drawn neutrally.” Reference apple.news/APjutyFWcTh2_w7j13Xywfw.
I hope you understand how dangerous this is. When democracy is undermined in this way we all lose, regardless of party affiliation. Like most state residents, I support an independent redistricting commission. We need this requirement nationwide to prevent either party from rigging elections in this way. I expect all elected representatives to protect the integrity of our elections. I urge you to oppose this redistricting effort.
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Thank you for your time and attention to this important matter. I would be grateful for any updates you can provide and look forward to hearing about the steps you are taking on this issue.
Doug Trantham
Bethel
