The attempt to redraw the districts for the Greensboro City Council hit a snag yesterday. The House overwhelmingly voted to reject HB 263, which would redistrict not only the City Council of the third-largest city in the state but would also redistrict the town council for the tiny town of Trinity, in Randolph County. The Greensboro provisions of the bill would quadruple-bunk Democratic incumbents, reduce the power of the mayor, and eliminate the city’s at-large districts. The bill was masterminded by State Sen. Trudy Wade, who says the proposal came at the request of the business community.
The vote was 35-73, meaning all voting Democrats voted against it while Republicans were split. Interestingly, five of the six legislators who represent Greensboro were against the bill. One of the more outspoken opponents was John Blust, known as a staunch conservative. He fears that the move will lead to lasting outrage. Instead, opponents of the bill want to bring the redistricting question to the voters, in a referendum voted on by Greensboro residents.
The matter is in sharp contrast to the legislature’s redrawing of the Wake Board of Commissioners, which sailed through the House and the Senate. Unlike the Wake issue, the Greensboro redistricting plan has been much more controversial and has resulted in a lot of negative feedback, and not just from Democrats.
Despite the opposition of local legislators, the bill is not dead yet. Instead it will be sent to a conference committee, where a largely non-Greensboro delegation will decide its fate.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
In relation to the Repugs, Election Fraud is a much more relevant issue that needs immediate resolution before the Primaries. And Gerrymandering is the only way they can retain their offices after shafting the working public. the only chance of a “actual” election here is paper ballots and a non partisan out side redistricting commission to draw the lines. KochCo paid alot on money to skew the lines into a rats nest for there sugar boys to win in 13. remember the first time ever digital voting machine crashes all over the state. security experts posted article that those crashs were a sure sign of hacking …..
Vote count verification is a no-brainer in any election if a representative government is to be guaranteed; with what we are seeing fro m republikans in office they have no fear of voter retaliation: how is that possible in a democracy where vote verification is mandatory – as it should be?
The price we are paying is not due to a apathy at the polls but lack of ‘paper voting trails’ so that the people have adequate verification that the votes are being accurately tallied!
This is just wrong! And even more inappropriate when not one Greensboro delegate sits at the table. North Carolina residents are paying a severe price for apathy at the polls.