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Edwards apppointed to judicial redistricting panel

By Bill Moss, Published: October 24, 2017

Senate Leader Phil Berger has appointed state Sen. Chuck Edwards to a committee looking at redrawing judicial districts across the state.

Berger announced the creation of the Senate Select Committee on Judicial Reform and Redistricting on Tuesday, Along with Edwards, R-Hendersonville, appointees included Sen. Terry Van Duyn, D-Asheville. Others were Sen. Dan Bishop, Co-Chair; Sen. Warren Daniel, Co-Chair; Sen. Bill Rabon, Co-Chair; Sen. Dan Barrett, Sen. Dan Blue, Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, Sen. Joel Ford, Sen. Ralph Hise, Sen. Floyd McKissick, Sen. Wesley Meredith, Sen. Paul Newton, Sen. Shirley Randleman and Sen. Norm Sanderson.

“After 60 years of haphazard and sometimes contradictory changes to our judicial system, I hope our state can have a thoughtful dialogue on how to modernize, reform and strengthen it in the coming months," Berger, R-Rockingham, said in a news release. "The judiciary touches every North Carolinian, so the conversation needs to include Republicans and Democrats, judges, legislators, district attorneys, clerks of court, executive branch officials, men and women of all races, and, yes, even lawyers.

"This committee will carefully consider all options on how we select judges including the House’s judicial redistricting bill, merit selection models, retention elections, and, if we maintain a system of elections, their frequency and partisan structure. I sincerely hope the committee reaches a consensus recommendation that will modernize and strengthen our courts."

A House bill on judicial redistricting left the districts alone in Henderson County.

"H 717 will not change the maps governing the judicial district that includes Henderson County," Rep. Chuck McGrady said in a newsletter this week. "Its only effect will be to add one district court judge slot and one assistant district attorney slot, both of these changes reflecting the caseload for the judicial district that includes Henderson, Polk and Transylvania counties."