North Carolina GOP Map Likely to Give 11 Seats

On Oct. 22, North Carolina’s Republican-controlled legislature approved a new congressional map in party-line votes that GOP lawmakers say will likely add one GOP-leaning seat, potentially bringing the state’s delegation to 11 of 14 seats. The redistricting shifts lines in eastern North Carolina and specifically targets Democratic Rep. Don Davis’s district while fracturing urban counties such as Guilford and Mecklenburg and leaving cities like Greensboro without a local representative. Republicans framed the changes as a response to Democratic mapmaking and as reflecting voter will, while Democrats and voting-rights groups denounced the plan as partisan and racially discriminatory and have pledged litigation. Because Republicans control both chambers and state law prevents the Democratic governor from vetoing redistricting, the maps can take effect immediately but face expected court challenges. Observers say the move is part of a broader national Republican push to add red-leaning seats ahead of the 2026 midterms; candidate filing for 2026 opens Dec. 1, setting up legal and political battles over control of the U.S. House.