New district maps released

As state lawmakers prepare to start committee debate on their redistricting maps today, the map-makers released updated versions of all three proposals late last night and early this morning. 

It also makes some small changes in Buncombe County (116) and Lee County (54). 

There may be a few other tweaks as well - at the time I'm writing this, finely detailed maps aren't yet available, so it's hard to get a good look at the small metro districts in Wake, Mecklenburg, Guilford, and Forsyth. 

The new Senate 10 would double-bunk Senators Brent Jackson and David Rouzer, both Republicans. Rouzer has already said he's running for Congress in 2012.  

The change creates a new open seat in Senate 12, covering Lee, Harnett, and a piece of Johnston counties.  Rumor has it Senate leaders are recruiting House Redistricting chair David Lewis to move over to the Senate. If so, this district might have his name on it. 

Other changes in the new Senate map include expanding Senate 24 in Randolph County, and some precinct-level tweaking of Senate 21 (Mansfield seat), the jellyfish-like Democratic district that threads through Fayetteville. 

It also lessens the area of Buncombe County drawn into the 10th from 63% of the population to 54.4%. This was also a topic of major debate at the public hearings. 

As I get more details on other changes in the latest versions, I'll update here.