Earlier this week, the state’s Republican-led legislature approved a new congressional map explicitly designed to add another GOP seat. The map makes changes to the 1st District—currently held by Democrat Don Davis—by swapping out certain inland counties for more conservative coastal ones, shifting the district’s partisan tilt in favour of Republicans.  Because the state constitution prevents Democratic Governor Josh Stein from vetoing redistricting bills, the map can become law unless struck down by the courts.

The move is part of a broader pattern in which GOP‐controlled states are conducting mid‐decade redistricting—outside the usual post‐census cycle—in order to lock in congressional gains ahead of the 2026 midterms. Critics argue this is blatant gerrymandering and undermines electoral fairness, while supporters say it reflects demographic shifts and legal latitude in drawing districts. For example, the state’s map once evenly split seats (7-7) under earlier boundaries, but under the 2024 map Republicans already held 10 of the 14 seats.

The implications are substantial: if the new map results in an 11th GOP seat in North Carolina, it could alter the balance of power in the U.S. House of Representatives. Legal challenges are already anticipated, especially from civil rights groups who claim the changes dilute the voting power of Black residents and target a historically majority‐minority district.