The North Carolina House took a final vote Tuesday on a measure that would redraw judicial electoral districts in Mecklenburg and Wake counties. It passed 70-45, with no Democrats voting for it.
Senate Bill 757 would split Mecklenburg County’s 21 districts court seats among 8 districts and create identical Superior Court districts. Republican Jeff Tarte of Mecklenburg County sponsored the bill. He says it will make it easier for voters to make informed decisions.
“Now you only have to do your homework on a handful of people. They’re going to live literally in your neighborhood or close ... so you have a higher likelihood that you might know them personally,” Tart said.
As far as superior court, Tarte says population imbalances within Mecklenburg County’s three districts is likely unconstitutional.
Similar bills last year that would have divided the county into multiple districts drew concern from many of the county’s district judges. They pointed out that dividing the district would take away the ability of citizens to vote for most of the judges that sit in the county.
The bill now heads back to the Senate for concurrence.
