Map by Map, the GOP Chips Away at Black Democrats' Power

Nick Corasaniti and Reid J. Epstein / The New York Times

Robert Reives Sr. was elected three decades ago as the first Black commissioner in his North Carolina county. Republicans have redrawn the district lines, and he now fears he will lose his seat. (photo: Jeremy M. Lange/NYT) 20 December 21

Black elected officials in several states, from Congress down to the counties, have been drawn out of their districts this year or face headwinds to hold onto their seats.

More than 30 years ago, Robert Reives Sr. marched into a meeting of his county government in Sanford, N.C., with a demand: Create a predominantly Black district in the county, which was 23 percent Black at the time but had no Black representation, or face a lawsuit under the Voting Rights Act.

The county commission refused, and Mr. Reives prepared to sue. But after the county settled and redrew its districts, he was elected in 1990 as Lee County’s first Black commissioner, a post he has held comfortably ever since.

Until this year.

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