How New Congressional Maps in Georgia and North Carolina Will Impact 2024 Election
Ask students: What is the reason behind the lawsuit in Georgia? When is the deadline for drawing new congressional maps in Georgia?
House Speaker Mike Johnson will face the same struggle that plagued his predecessor, a narrow GOP majority. He will have to protect it in next year's elections and redistricting could complicate that. North Carolina has new congressional maps and a judge tossed out Georgia's maps. Amna Nawaz discussed more with Mark Niesse of the Atlanta Journal-Constitution and Rusty Jacobs of WUNC Public Radio.
Time codes
0:33 — Interview with journalist Mark Niesse on Georgia redistricting
2:28 — Interview with journalist Rusty Jacobs on North Carolina redistricting
5:17 — Both journalists discuss court cases around redistricting
For a transcript, click here.
Discussion Questions
- Who is the new House Speaker?
- What is the reason behind the lawsuit in Georgia?
- When is the deadline for drawing new congressional maps in Georgia?
- Why is the North Carolina redistricting case likely to end up in court?
- How has the U.S. Supreme Court previously ruled in cases involving the Voting Rights Act?
Focus Questions
What impact is the redistricting in North Carolina expected to have on the balance of power between Democrats and Republicans? What do you think would be a fair system of districting?
Media literacy: Can you find historical examples of how the Voting Rights Act has influenced the redistricting process in the United States?
Extension Activity
Discuss as a class — why do some individuals, like Wiley Nickel from Raleigh, believe that the new maps in North Carolina are an extreme partisan gerrymander?
Check out this lesson plan on understanding the structure of congress.
Teaching the Election Process: Lesson Plans and Resources
It's election season in the United States and a good time to teach students about the election process and why local, state and federal elections matter. Explore topics covering election fundamentals, election law and security, youth engagement, famous U.S. elections and more.
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories.
