Democracy, Representation, and Public Education
This week, the NCGA reconvened for its scheduled October session. Instead of finalizing a long-overdue state budget, lawmakers approved a new congressional map for the fifth time in 10 years. The new map positions Republicans to win 11 of the state’s 14 congressional districts, raising renewed concerns about racial gerrymandering.
Historically used by both parties as a political tool, gerrymandering achieves its impact through tactics like “cracking” and “packing”–splitting cohesive communities across districts to weaken their influence, or concentrating them in a single district to limit their reach elsewhere. In this case, the new map reshapes the 1st Congressional District, North Carolina’s only swing district, by shifting a number of Democratic-leaning and Black voters into surrounding Republican districts. Located in the state’s northeast, this district has a 40% Black electorate and a long history of Black representation. Under the new maps, that percentage drops significantly, leading critics to argue that Black voters’ voice has been diluted. While the courts have ruled that partisan gerrymandering claims are beyond their jurisdiction, racial gerrymandering remains unconstitutional. Lawmakers who drafted the maps insist that race was not a factor, though the process has raised ongoing questions about whether racial data was used, intentionally or not, to secure partisan advantage.
Lack of Transparency
Previous redistricting cycles included statewide public hearings where voters could share feedback. This time, public comment was limited to two committee hearings, with each speaker given only one minute. Despite the short window between the map’s release last Thursday and its approval, more than 12,000 online comments were submitted, most opposing the maps and expressing frustration that their concerns went unanswered. The limited opportunity for public participation has prompted questions about the transparency and integrity of the redistricting process, and by extension, public trust in democratic institutions.
Democracy’s Relationship to Public Education
Just as public education fosters a strong democracy, a strong democracy is essential for enabling public schools where all students can thrive. Public schools are where students learn to think critically, encounter diverse perspectives, and prepare to participate meaningfully in civic life. Gerrymandering threatens our democratic processes with ripple effects extending to education policy and funding. Regardless of which party draws them, maps that distort voter representation dilute regional voices and risk sidelining the issues that matter most for children and families in communities across the state. Redrawing maps mid-decade, outside of the typical ten-year census cycle, signals politically driven decision-making that can erode public confidence. And trust in government is critical, not only for sustaining democracy, but also for ensuring communities feel invested in their schools.
A democracy that reflects and respects all voices strengthens its public schools, and in turn, its public schools strengthen democracy. Both require fairness, accountability, and trust to thrive.
Other Actions at the General Assembly
As this week’s session wound to a close, the North Carolina House passed a handful of additional bills. Among them, SB 599 (State Teacher/Employee Pay & Local LEO Bonus) would raise teacher salaries by an average of 6.4%, reinstate masters pay, and raise principal pay. While passed unanimously in their chamber, members of the House noted in their comments that the bill was unlikely to move forward, as its enactment requires not only Senate approval but also the full passage of a state budget which is unlikely to happen until 2026. This underscores the tension between the House and the Senate and foreshadows a continuing budgeting stalemate.
The General Assembly has a constitutional responsibility to pass a state budget. Each day this obligation goes unmet, schools are left unable to plan strategically, and teachers continue to wait for their promised raises. This comes amid the state’s ongoing failure to fully fund the constitutional guarantee of a sound, basic education for every North Carolina child.
Leave a Reply