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2020 stays with McHenry in District 10; after changes to District 11

POLK COUNTY—North Carolina’s redistricting has made things for Polk County a little confusing. 

The recent changes to North Carolina’s congressional maps means that Polk County is now a part of District 11 instead of District 10, but not immediately. 

County officials recently clarified that Polk County is now officially a part of District 11, represented currently by Congressman Mark Meadows (R) for all political activities, including which candidates Polk County residents will vote for. However, for the remainder of 2020, Polk County will remain in District 10, which is currently represented by Congressman Patrick McHenry. McHenry’s office has frequently visited Polk County for local residents to come speak. So for the remainder of the year any official business related to federal agencies, including veteran services, resources for small business and federal grants will remain with District 10 and McHenry’s office.

Meadows was elected to the U.S. Congress in 2013 and is known for being one of the lower chamber’s most conservative members. He served as the House Freedom Caucus chair from 2017-2019 and played a prominent role in the effort of republicans to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. 

Meadows announced in December he would retire after this term. 

The new congressional districts were redrawn and approved in December. 

The maps were redrawn after a three-judge panel indicated it was likely to toss the previous map as unconstitutional partisan gerrymander last year. 

In District 11, Polk County will now be part of the rest of western North Carolina.