Editorial: Virginia ahead of North Carolina, again

Over the last decade the people of North Carolina have not had proper representation in the halls of Congress or the chambers of the state’s General Assembly.

Repeatedly courts have told the legislators who draw the congressional and legislative districts that they were so drastically rigged that they violated the rights of voters based on their race and political affiliation. In words that have become symbolic of the over-the-top efforts, a court said data was used with “surgical precision” to weaken and even disenfranchise voters.

Repeatedly over the last decade congressional and legislative districts have been declared illegal and legislators have been forced to redraw them.

It has been a needless cycle that denied North Carolinians the voice they deserve in Washington and Raleigh.

While not perfect, it is a vast improvement over the way it was being handled by that state’ legislature.

North Carolina’s political leaders seem to be obsessed with trying to game the electoral system. Whether it is tussling over: The types of photo identification to be required at polling places; Numbers of days and specific hours polling places are open; The location of polling places; Mail-in absentee voting procedures or; The authority of local and state election officials: -- no details that possibly might give one political party an advantage, is overlooked for manipulation for even the most minute partisan advantage.

Legislators need to embark now on developing and adopting a non-partisan system for drawing congressional and legislative districts. The timing couldn’t be better.

The delayed release of census data gives time for legislators and citizens to be involved in putting together a system that will work toward making sure every North Carolinian has a voice – Republican, Democratic and unaffiliated voters alike.

There should be outreach to the political parties, voting and community activists and advocates of all ideological stripes. Hearings could – and should – be held all around the state. The development of a nonpartisan system should be open and accessible. If that’s done, the result could be used immediately as well as placed on the ballot an amendment to the N.C. Constitution so voters can enshrine it for perpetuity.

Establishing a nonpartisan commission of citizens, with open aa nd objective criteria to develop representative congressional and legislative districts won’t help incumbents, Democrats or Republicans keep or gain power.

But it will make sure ALL those who are supposed to have the REAL power and the STRONGEST voice in a democracy – the voters – aren’t weakened or muffled.