Alleghany is moved back in 5th District

By COBY LaRUE
Staff

After more controversy arose concerning North Carolina's legislative districts, particularly the 12th district that includes the city of Charlotte, Alleghany County has again found itself shuffled into another district.

The move will put Alleghany back into the 5th Congressional District, which is represented by Richard Burr. Burr was the area congressmen until an earlier shuffle that moved this county into the 10th Congressional District, which is represented by Cass Ballenger.

Richard Burr

Cass Ballenger

A panel of federal judges has ruled that the 1998 redistricting plan is invalid and the state has reverted back to the plan that was in place in 1997. That plan was also counted as unconstitutional by a three-member federal panel of judges.

The main complaint with the plan is the 12th district, which opponents say is drawn based on race. The district is predominantly black as it is currently drawn and is represented by Mel Watt.

At the request of State Attorney General Mike Easley, the U.S. Supreme Court has granted a stay on the lower court ruling that stated the 1997 plan was unconstitutional.

In short, the court's action has allowed the primary election schedule to proceed with no changes including the scheduled primary May 2 for U.S. Congressional candidates.

Locally, Director of Elections Karen K. Fender said that the move will not affect Alleghany's ballots or absentee ballots for the upcoming primary, some of which have already been sent out to voters.

If the 1997 districting plan remains, Richard Burr of Winston-Salem will represent the county in lieu of Cass Ballenger of Hickory.

Both men are uncontested in the upcoming primary, with Burr facing a Libertarian challenge from Steven F. LeBoeuf of Raleigh.

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