Earlier this week we published a recap of North Carolina’s legislative redistricting process, subsequent litigation and the impact on the state’s political landscape. The months-long process finally drew to a close later this week when North Carolina enacted court-approved district maps, setting the stage for the 2022 elections and beyond.
The Maps
On Wednesday, a panel of three North Carolina Superior Court judges approved the N.C. General Assembly’s redrawn electoral maps for the state House and state Senate.
N.C. House Map
N.C. Senate Map
Instead of approving state lawmakers’ congressional districts, the panel enacted interim Congressional maps drawn with the help of three special masters appointed to the case. The interim Congressional districts were adopted for use in the 2022 elections, while the state House and Senate maps approved by the court are intended to be used for the duration of the decade.
Interim Congressional Map
Plaintiffs and defendants in Harper v. Hall appealed various parts of the ruling to the N.C. Supreme Court, which ultimately upheld the lower court’s ruling, giving a final OK to the state House and Senate district maps. Republican leaders, however, could still appeal the Congressional maps to the Supreme Court of the United States.
2022 Elections
Enactment of the new maps allowed for candidate filing to begin after a delay of more than two months. Filing for the 2022 election resumed across the state at 8 a.m. on Feb. 24 and will remain open through March 4.
Many candidates found their campaign plans placed in limbo as Harper v. Hall made its way through the courts, awaiting the final maps to be enacted in order to have a clear idea of what their district would include. Now, many candidates running in the 2022 elections have re-announced their plans to run for newly drawn districts.
The primary election will be held on May 17 and the general election on Nov. 8.
Looking Ahead
The new maps used in the 2022 elections will determine North Carolina’s political makeup, as well as affect which party controls the U.S. House of Representatives, where Republicans need only flip a handful of seats to regain control. The 2022 midterms are sure to be a competitive and expensive election year, leading into and providing a glimpse at what to expect in the 2024 presidential election year just around the corner.
Check back as we continue to stay up-to-date on all things North Carolina politics, elections and beyond, here.