The Republicans in the General Assembly have released their redistricting plans. Their plans have a profound impact on Orange County.

House Districts 54 and 56 have been combined to form a new District 56 completely within Orange County. This district double bunks Representatives Hackney (District 54) and Insko (District 56). District 50 will now include Northern Orange and Durham Counties (previously District 50 included Northern Orange and Caswell Counties).

For the most part precincts remain in their current districts. In short, six precincts were moved out of District 50 and into District 56: Cameron Park, Coles Store, Grady Brown, Hillsborough, Hogan Farms, and West Hillsborough. Five were moved from District 56 and into District 50: Booker Creek, Cedar Falls, Eastside, Patterson, and Weaver Dairy.

Our Senate district will also change. Senator Kinnaird's district will now be Orange and Chatham Counties. However, this double bunks her with Senator Bob Atwater of Chatham County.

Republicans are sure to pass these plans, however all redistricting plans still need the approval of the United States Department of Justice in Washington, D.C. and legal challenges are sure to be lodged.