North Carolina

Citizens address proposed state voting maps

RALEIGH, N.C. — Nearly 100 citizens turned out to share their thoughts on new proposed state voting maps.

Many in Charlotte said they're worried the maps won't change anything.

Some are not happy how the process played out and how little time they have to make their voices heard.

The people, armed with maps and signs, packed Central Piedmont Community College to sound off on newly proposed state House and Senate districts.

“Allow voters to choose their policymakers, not allow policymakers to choose their voters,” Huntersville resident Jacob Hunt said.

A three-judge panel told lawmakers to come up with new legislative maps by Sept. 1 after they found 28 districts had unconstitutional racial gerrymanders.

Lawmakers released two proposed maps over the weekend. The Republican chair of the Redistricting Committee said they are a good start, but most of the speakers at Charlotte's public hearing said they don't go far enough.

“Please, I hope to God, the courts will throw these maps out,” Charlotte resident Dan Radey said.

The meeting got chaotic at times.

The meeting room was small so some people had to wait in the hallway.

“Everything about this event is engineered to limit public input,” Charlotte resident Keirsten Youth said.

Speakers felt like their comments were limited because they had to listen to people from five other cities through Skype.

Republican Rep. Andy Dulin said he isn't sold just yet on the new maps but likes his new district.

He wants to make sure lawmakers in the county are on board.

“It's a complicated process being done in a very short amount of time,” Dulin said.

Lawmakers are heading to Raleigh Wednesday and will begin discussing and potentially voting on the new maps this week.

The maps have to be voted on by lawmakers.

If they pass, they would then go to a judge for the final stamp of approval.

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