Friends,

Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly passed new district maps for the NC House, NC Senate, and the congressional delegation to Washington. Like we have seen with other bills this session, Republican leadership completed this process behind closed doors, using an out-of-state consultant from Ohio. Democratic members and the larger public were given few chances to provide input and even fewer chances to propose and make changes. 

Below, I have summarized the new maps and the effects they will have, both on our district and the state as a whole. If you have any further questions, please do not hesitate to reach out.

After passing the maps, the General Assembly passed an adjournment resolution, meaning that the 2023 Long Session is essentially over. The 2024 Short Session is due to begin on April 24. In the next week, my staff and I will send out a ‘“session overview”, so please be on the lookout for that.

As we closed out one of the most extreme sessions in our state’s history, Republicans ended the session with new district maps for North Carolina’s congressional seats and state legislature. 

Voters are supposed to select their representatives - that is one of the core foundations of a strong democracy. With these maps, however, Republicans shield themselves from public opinion and accountability, and they try with all their might to remain in power. [with one of their most shameless power grabs yet, in the form of ]

In the new State Senate maps, there is a strong probability that Republicans will maintain their supermajority, even if Democrats capture a majority of the votes statewide. In the State House, there is actually a better outlook for Democrats to get out of the super minority, though the maps still do not reflect the people. Currently, our U.S. House representatives are split 7-7 currently between Democrats and Republicans.  With the new congressional map, on paper, Republicans have a 11-3 (Republican to Democrat advantage), with only one potentially competitive seat. 

Shockingly, these maps are likely to be even worse than those that were struck down in 2021 by the State Supreme Court. After the Republicans took control of the Court in the 2022 election, the justices took an unprecedented move that essentially gave House and Senate leadership a blank check to draw new maps. 

The consequences of gerrymandering can already be seen across our state. In a predetermined election, only the primary matters in most state legislative races, which tend to draw the most extreme voters. In this session, we have seen extreme, far-right legislation move at an unprecedented rate. Many of those who led these efforts are protected by their gerrymandered district, or were elected as a far-right alternative to a more moderate representative. With these results coming from the 2010 gerrymander, further years of these maps have the potential to be devastating. 

These consequences extend to our daily lives. Government agencies continue to go underfunded and understaffed. Teachers and state employees are underpaid. Public schools, in many cases, are literally falling apart. Environmental protections are weakened. As our state seeks to innovate and grow, we are pulled backwards by abortion bans and cruel attacks on the LGBTQ population. Gerrymandering enables all of this, and a change is long overdue. At the end of the day, what gives me hope is that the voters themselves can make the difference.

Back in January, I was proud to cosponsor HB 9: Fair Maps Act, which would have turned over authority for the maps to an independent redistricting process. This was one of the first major bills that Democrats filed - the ninth bill in a session that saw almost a thousand bills - and it is because we know that true representation is the foundation for moving North Carolina forward and making progressive change. 

Below, I detail the three new maps, as well as how they impact our district and the state as a whole. 

Our district, and all of Orange County, will continue to be in Congressional District 4, which is currently represented by Congresswoman Valerie Foushee in the new congressional maps.

Statewide, these maps are another attack on the voice of the voters. Under the current maps, drawn in 2021, North Carolina’s congressional delegation is split: 7 Democrats and 7 Republicans. In a closely contested (“purple”) state, this proportion makes sense. Under these new maps, there will be 10 comfortably Republican seats, 3 Democratic seats, with only 1 seat with the potential to be competitive.

In our district, there is a slight change under the new maps. Starting in 2024, the Weaver Dairy and Weaver Dairy Satellite precincts will be part of District 50 to the north. The St. John precinct, to the west of Carrboro, will now be a part of District 56. Although there are far worse changes in these maps, this unnecessary change will split Chapel Hill and could lead to voter confusion.

At the state level, these maps attempt to insulate a Republican supermajority. Even when Democrats win more than 50% of the statewide vote, Republicans are likely to hold onto a majority in the NC House. Much has been said during this session about the House being the most responsive body, due to our smaller districts and frequent elections. However, these maps try to ensure that that is not true and that voters’ voices will not be heard, even when they call for change. There will still be competitive seats in the State House races and a chance for Democrats to get out of the super minority.

For our district, there will be no direct change in the new NC Senate maps. The entirety of Orange County will remain in District 23, currently represented by Senator Graig Meyer. 

For the rest of the state, however, the State Senate maps will likely lock in a Republican supermajority - even when Democrats receive more than 50% of statewide votes. The brashness of this power grab cannot be overstated. Even when the state votes for Democrats, Republicans have predetermined that their electoral mandate allows them to override vetoes.

The NC State Extension, which operates the Orange County 4-H program, is seeking to learn how best to serve our community and help youth prepare for future careers and to serve their community. 

Please consider filling out their survey of needs to help ensure that they are best able to meet the needs of youth in Orange County.



Courtesy of our state’s Department of Health and Human Services, I have provided some resources below for sharing information related to NC’s Medicaid expansion on December 1st. If you are interested in being trained to make Medicaid Expansion Presentations or share information within your networks, please email austin.hahn@ncleg.gov.

Beginning December 1, 2023, more North Carolinians will be able to get health coverage through NC Medicaid. This will be a game changer for the more than 600,000 people who will be able to access health care and is the most significant investment in the health of our state in decades. Thank you to the many partners that have helped make this a reality.   

Now we need your help to be sure that North Carolinians know who is eligible and how to apply. We have a new website, bilingual toolkit and a sign-up form to stay updated on the most current information about how more North Carolinians will be able to get health coverage through NC Medicaid. Please use these tools with your networks and communities. 

The bilingual toolkit includes:

• Day 1 Flyer: An overview of who is eligible and how to enroll.
• Newsletter Template: Content to include in your newsletters and emails.
• Social Media: Graphics and posts to share on your channels. 
• Family Planning Flyer: Information for the approximately 300,000 people who receive limited benefits through Family Planning Medicaid who will be automatically enrolled in full Medicaid.
• Medicaid Essentials Deck: A presentation to share with your community on who is eligible and how to enroll.
• FAQ: Answers to common questions.
• ePass Video: An overview of how to apply online through ePass. 

To stay updated with the latest information, be notified when the application process goes live, and receive the newest resources, complete this sign-up form.

Thank you for helping more people in your communities get health coverage through NC Medicaid. Together we will ensure more than 600,000 people gain access to health care across North Carolina. 

Signing Off 

Thank you for taking the time to read through these updates. As always, please feel free to reach out with any questions related to legislative events, or if we can assist in working with state agencies. 

You can always email me at allen.buansi@ncleg.gov or call my office at (919) 733-7208. If you’d prefer to contact my legislative assistant, Austin Hahn, you may do so at austin.hahn@ncleg.gov.

Finally, if you are not subscribed to this newsletter, or if you know someone who would like to be, you can sign up here.

Thank you,

Rep. Allen Buansi