The United States Census Bureau is set to release redistricting data for North Carolina from the 2020 Census on Aug. 12. Legislators in the North Carolina General Assembly will use Redistricting data to redraw congressional districts, state senate districts and state house districts.
How the redistricting process work in North Carolina
Redistricting is the process of redrawing state congressional districts, state senate districts and state house districts in accordance with population shifts within North Carolina. Members of the North Carolina General Assembly redraw districts following the U.S. Census to account for population changes and maintain equal representation, according to the North Carolina General Assembly.
North Carolina state law requires the political party in control of the North Carolina General Assembly to conduct the redrawing of district lines. The redrawing of congressional districts, state senate districts and state house districts will be conducted by Republican lawmakers, who currently hold a majority within the North Carolina General Assembly.
When redrawing district lines, the federal government encourages state legislatures to ensure that each district has nearly the same population and does not discriminate on the basis of race.
The data used by members of the North Carolina General Assembly to redraw districts comes from the U.S. Census Bureau, who conducts a census of the U.S. population every ten years. Data from the 2020 Census indicated that North Carolina gained 9.5% more residents from 2010 to 2020 and gave North Carolina a 14th seat in the U.S. House of Representatives along with a 14th congressional district, which is expected to have an impact on how districts are redrawn within North Carolina.
What Redistricting Means for Alamance County, town of Elon
North Carolina’s population growth, shown by data from the 2020 Census, represents continued patterns of predominantly urban and suburban areas, such as in Wake and Mecklenburg counties. According to Carolina Demography, urban and suburban areas with increasing populations are likely to gain seats in the North Carolina General Assembly.
North Carolina’s State Senate has 50 seats. Currently, Alamance County is represented by Amy Galey of District 24.
North Carolina’s State House of Representatives has 120 seats. Alamance County is currently represented by Ricky Hurtado of District 63 and Dennis Riddell of District 64.