Obama praises North Carolina gerrymandering ruling: ‘Proof that change is always within our reach’

Former President Obama is praising a North Carolina court’s decision to redraw the state’s legislative districts over partisan gerrymandering. 

“Yesterday’s ruling is a big win for North Carolina—and for all of us. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around,” Obama tweeted Wednesday.

Yesterday’s ruling is a big win for North Carolina—and for all of us. Voters should choose their representatives, not the other way around. This win is proof that change is always within our reach, on gerrymandering, voting rights, and much more. https://t.co/sVlKm1JaIt

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) September 4, 2019

{mosads}The court ruled that North Carolina’s General Assembly must redraw the districts ahead of the 2020 election after finding the map drawn in 2017 was created with “partisan intent” that “perpetuated a Republican-controlled” assembly. 

The assembly has until Sept. 18 to issue remedial maps, and the drawing will be done at public hearings.

Obama has long been an outspoken proponent of reforming how congressional and legislative maps are drawn. 

Earlier this month he launched an initiative, Redistricting U, aimed at combating partisan gerrymandering.