The Republican-led redistricting effort left a clear mark on the 2012 elections and it's drawing attention to an effort to make the process nonpartisan.
The N.C. Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform will begin a statewide tour this week to pitch their idea for redistricting reform to business leaders with the local chamber of commerce in six cities, said director Jane Pinsky. The group -- backed by members of both political parties -- wants to an independent panel to redraw political district boundaries every 10 years instead of the state legislature.
Republicans spent millions in a concerted effort in 2010 to wrest control of the state legislature and put themselves in a position to craft the maps. Democrats also used them to keep a grip on power in previous years. The new maps are still the subject of an ongoing legal battle.
The first forum is Tuesday with the Durham Chamber of Commerce and features state Rep. Mickey Michaux, a Democrat. Other stops include Charlotte, Winston-Salem, Greensboro, Wilmington and Raleigh. Among the politicians helping the effort: Rep. John Faircloth, a High Point Republican; Sen.-elect Earline Parmon, a Winston-Salem Democrat; and former Republican Charlotte Mayor Richard Vinroot.
