Voters in Gerrymandered District Under Illusion That Their Votes Actually Matter In Local Elections
RALEIGH, North Carolina – Two residents of North Carolina’s 4th Congressional District, Bob Smith and Carol Wingfeather, have repeatedly maintained civil discourse over their varying political beliefs during their weekly Sunday tea times, agreeing that despite their differences they are proud to call themselves American as they strongly believe in the country’s democratic institutions. Bob and Carol are largely unaware of their gerrymandered district and are unfortunately still living under the impression that in America “all votes are important” and that they are really “making a difference” by casting their ballots on Election Day for various city official positions.
Bob, an eighteen-year-old first-time voter, told The Slant that he is ecstatic to be able to cast his vote to “make America great again” with more conservatives “holding local offices.” Under the impression that his vote matters, he stated that “while I can see that there are definitely going to be some people who oppose my beliefs, in the end I’m just happy to live in a country where I can make my voice heard through voting, regardless of my beliefs.”
Bob’s neighbor, Carol Wingfeather, emphatically told The Slant that she is “excited to elect progressives into local office” on election day. After The Slant informed Carol that her district was heavily gerrymandered by the North Carolina Republican Party in 2012, causing her district to encompass Raleigh, Burlington, and a part of Fayetteville, Carol appeared indignant and refused to believe the Slant correspondent. The new district lines effectively rope some major urban and liberal areas across the state into one singular district despite the distances between them. “What do you mean my district is already blue due to gerrymandering? You’re telling me that North Carolina has been hijacked to create more red districts by lumping all of us liberals together? This is a load of malarkey!” Carol said.
Bob, upon learning the news of his gerrymandered district, initially appeared frustrated after he realized that his vote would essentially do nothing to turn his district red. “You’re telling me that all of my voter canvassing and campaign work in this district was in vain?”Bob said. The Slant declined to answer Bob’s question after mistaking his genuine inquiry for a rhetorical question. “I’m gonna sue this elitist government!” Bob said. Bob also agreed that this was in fact a bunch of “malarkey.”
Carol later informed Bob that gerrymandering their district helped the GOP in their state in the long run as it created an increased number of red districts. Bob has since reversed his position on gerrymandering.
