Final answer:
Gerrymandering is the intentional shifting or drawing of congressional district lines to exclude certain groups. In North Carolina, gerrymandering has been an ongoing issue, with court cases alleging partisan manipulation of district lines. Gerrymandering can undermine fair representation and the democratic process.
Step-by-step explanation:
Gerrymandering is the intentional shifting or drawing of congressional district lines with the intent of excluding members of a political party or a racial/ethnic group. In North Carolina today, gerrymandering has been a major issue. The state has been involved in numerous court cases due to allegations of partisan gerrymandering, where district lines are drawn to benefit one political party over another.
One example of gerrymandering in North Carolina is the 2016 redrawing of district lines by the state's Republican-controlled legislature. The new districts were found to be unconstitutional because they unfairly favored Republicans. As a result, the courts ordered the district lines to be redrawn for the 2020 elections.
Gerrymandering has significant impacts on the democratic process, as it can undermine fair representation and limit the power of certain groups or parties. Many argue that gerrymandering distorts the will of the voters and leads to a lack of competitive elections.