This book gives a historical and contemporary overview of the redistricting process, using North Carolina for the different political, electoral, and legal issues and debates over the practice of drawing legislative district boundaries. Redistricting has been characterized as "the most political activity in America," and North Carolina has often been at the heart of recent controversies over this particular activity. In fact, the Tar Heel state was once described as "long notorious for (its) outrageous reapportionment." Through legislative construction to significant legal challenges, the Tar Heel state has been a noted case study for the past thirty years. From the contentious issues of redistricting principles to the matters of gerrymandering, based on race and politics, North Carolina's past three decades have seen major U.S. Supreme Court cases deal with redistricting controversies. By exploring this state's dealings with gerrymandering and redistricting, readers will have a better sense of the dynamics facing the nation as it confronts the 2020 Census and the subsequent redistricting efforts in 2021.

J. Michael Bitzer is Professor of Politics and History and holds the T.P. and J.C. Leonard Chair of Political Science at Catawba College, USA, where he teaches courses on State Politics, Southern Politics, Constitutional Law, and North Carolina Politics.

Autorentext

J. Michael Bitzer is Professor of Politics and History and holds the T.P. and J.C. Leonard Chair of Political Science at Catawba College, USA, where he teaches courses on State Politics, Southern Politics, Constitutional Law, and North Carolina Politics.

Inhalt
Introduction
Chapter 1: Historical aspects to redistricting in the United States
Chapter 2: Historical aspects to North Carolina politics and redistricting
Chapter 3: Redistricting in North Carolina in the 1970s to the 1990s
Chapter 4: The 2000s 
Chapter 5: The 2010 Republican Takeover
Chapter 6: Conclusion