![[rewind] Redrawing Democracy — North Carolina’s New Maps and the 2026 Midterms episode artwork](https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/fc671404-9abb-4783-bad5-692b3dbc59cf/de9e769f-4dde-46cf-b76a-aa5a70727979/3000x3000/v3-20-2.jpg?aid=rss_feed)
EPISODE · Nov 6, 2025 · 30 MIN
[rewind] Redrawing Democracy — North Carolina’s New Maps and the 2026 Midterms
from Laura Flanders and Friends: Solutions-Focused Progressive Perspectives on Politics, News, and Culture · host Laura Flanders
North Carolina leads a new wave of gerrymandering battles ahead of the 2026 midterms. Laura Flanders revisits how redistricting there reveals the national struggle over democracy and fair representation.This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support!Description [original release date May 7, 2023] As the 2026 midterm elections approach, North Carolina has once again become ground zero in the fight over American democracy. In this re-release of “Deciding the Fate of Democracy in North Carolina,” Laura Flanders and her guests revisit how extreme gerrymandering has reshaped political power and voter representation in one of the nation’s key swing states.North Carolina is now the first swing state to draw new congressional districts amid a nationwide push by both parties to lock in advantages before the next election. What’s at stake for democracy—not just in North Carolina, but across the country?Tune in as Laura Flanders & Friends explore the local stories behind this national struggle, and what it reveals about the future of fair representation in America.Guests:Hilary Harris Klein: Senior Counsel of Voting Rights, Southern Coalition for Social JusticeIrving L. Joyner: Professor of Law, North Carolina Central University School of LawSerena Sebring: Executive Director, Blueprint NCJosh Stein: Attorney General, North Carolina (note: He served as NC's A.G. 2017 to 2024. Currently he is serving as the 76th governor of North Carolina since 2025.) Angela M. Thorpe: Executive Director, Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice Watch this episode on YouTubeFull Show Notes are located HERE. They include related episodes, articles, and more to dive deeper.Music In the Middle: "Wings" by Terry Callier courtesy of Mr. Bongo Records. Additional music, 'Steppin' & 'Electric Car' by Podington Bear. "Unsilenced" by Ketsa. Original Sound Design by Jeannie Hopper. RESOURCES:Related Laura Flanders Show Episodes:• The Forgotten Coup, January 6th & the Small Town Americans on the Frontlines of Democracy Watch / Download Podcast• Community Safety in a Time of Insurrection Watch / Download Podcast• North Carolina: Courageous Conversations in a Climate of Fear Watch / Download Podcast• Lisa Graves: The Extremist Revolutions & Democracy Hanging by a Thread Watch / Download Podcast• Democratizing Democracy: Redistricting by the People Watch / Download PodcastRelated Articles and Resources:• North Carolinas Republicans Just Took Gerrymandering to a Whole New Level, by Laura Flanders, The Nation, Read Here• Moore vs. Harper Explained, by Eliza Sweren-Becker & Ethan Herenstein, The Brennan Center, Read Here• North Carolina Supreme Court delivers three sweeping blows to voting rights, opinion. by The Editorial Board, The News & Observer, Read Here• What Happens to Moore v. Harper after the latest North Carolina Supreme Court decision in the partisan gerrymandering case? by Derek Muller, ElectionLawBlog.org Read Here• The ‘Independent State Legislature Theory,’ Explained, by Ethan Herenstein & Thomas Wolf, The Brennan Center, read here Laura Flanders and Friends Crew: Laura Flanders-Executive Producer, Writer; Sabrina Artel-Supervising Producer; Jeremiah Cothren-Senior Producer; Veronica Delgado-Video Editor, Janet Hernandez-Communications Director; Jeannie Hopper-Audio Director, Podcast & Radio Producer, Audio Editor, Sound Design, Narrator; Sarah Miller-Development Director, Nat Needham-Editor, Graphic Design emeritus; David Neuman-Senior Video Editor, and Rory O’Conner-Senior Consulting Producer. FOLLOW Laura Flanders and FriendsInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/lauraflandersandfriends/Blueky: https://bsky.app/profile/lfandfriends.bsky.socialFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/LauraFlandersAndFriends/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@lauraflandersandfriendsYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFLRxVeYcB1H7DbuYZQG-lgLinkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lauraflandersandfriendsPatreon: https://www.patreon.com/lauraflandersandfriendsACCESSIBILITY - The broadcast edition of this episode is available with closed captioned by clicking here for our YouTube Channel
Embed this episode
What this episode covers
Synposis: North Carolina leads a new wave of redistricting battles as Republicans and Democrats race to secure power before next year’s midterm elections. This show is made possible by you! To become a sustaining member go to LauraFlanders.org/donate Thank you for your continued support! Short Description [original release date May 7, 2023]: We return to our episode “Deciding the Fate of Democracy in North Carolina.” For over fifteen years, this swing state has served as a kind of political petrie dish—testing how far extremist policies and deep partisan redistricting can go. Today, as North Carolina becomes the first swing state to redraw its districts ahead of next year’s midterms, the questions raised in this conversation are more urgent than ever. “North Carolinians do not want this gerrymandering . . . What the legislatures are trying to do here is not the people’s business. It is their own political entrenchment.” - Hilary Harris Klein “You had 30 African Americans in the North Carolina General Assembly and all of that came crashing down in 2010 with the election of Republicans . . . Their first order of business was to attack the success that we had had in building up African American political power.” - Irving L. Joyner Guests: Hilary Harris Klein: Senior Counsel of Voting Rights, Southern Coalition for Social Justice Irving L. Joyner: Professor of Law, North Carolina Central University School of Law Serena Sebring: Executive Director, Blueprint NC Josh Stein: Attorney General, North Carolina Angela M. Thorpe: Executive Director, Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice Go to Patreon.com/LauraFlandersandFriends for the full episode notes, search "Deciding the Fate of Democracy in North Carolina"
Ready to play
[rewind] Redrawing Democracy — North Carolina’s New Maps and the 2026 Midterms
No transcript for this episode yet
Similar Episodes
No similar episodes found.
Similar Podcasts
No similar podcasts found.