North Carolina General Assembly election, 2002
Encyclopedia
The North Carolina General Assembly election, 2002 was the first General Assembly election conducted using districts drawn following the 2000 Census.
These districts differed from past districts in that these were the first drawn so as to have each district elect only one member of the North Carolina General Assembly
. Previously, some districts elected 2 or 3 members; the North Carolina Supreme Court
ruled that this was not allowed under the North Carolina Constitution
of 1971.
These elections resulted in Democratic control of the North Carolina Senate
with a 28-22 majority. The House of Representatives
was won by the Republicans by a wafer-thin 61-59 majority. However, Michael P. Decker
crossed the floor
between the election and the opening of the new session, making it evenly split 60-60. As such, the Democrats and Republicans shared leadership of the body.
These districts differed from past districts in that these were the first drawn so as to have each district elect only one member of the North Carolina General Assembly
North Carolina General Assembly
The North Carolina General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of North Carolina. The General Assembly drafts and legislates the state laws of North Carolina, also known as the General Statutes...
. Previously, some districts elected 2 or 3 members; the North Carolina Supreme Court
North Carolina Supreme Court
The Supreme Court of North Carolina is the state's highest appellate court. Until the creation of the North Carolina Court of Appeals in the 1960s, it was the state's only appellate court. The Supreme Court consists of six associate justices and one chief justice, although the number of justices...
ruled that this was not allowed under the North Carolina Constitution
North Carolina Constitution
The Constitution of the State of North Carolina governs the structure and function of the state government of North Carolina, United States; it is the highest legal document for the state and subjugates North Carolina law...
of 1971.
These elections resulted in Democratic control of the North Carolina Senate
North Carolina Senate
The North Carolina Senate is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly.Its prerogatives and powers are similar to those of the other house, the House of Representatives. Its members do, however, represent districts that are larger than those of their colleagues in the House. The...
with a 28-22 majority. The House of Representatives
North Carolina House of Representatives
The North Carolina House of Representatives is one of the two houses of the North Carolina General Assembly. The House is a 120-member body led by a Speaker of the House, who holds powers similar to those of the President pro-tem in the state senate....
was won by the Republicans by a wafer-thin 61-59 majority. However, Michael P. Decker
Michael P. Decker
Michael Paul Decker, Sr. is a former member of the North Carolina General Assembly representing the state's ninety-fourth House district, including constituents in Forsyth County...
crossed the floor
Crossing the floor
In politics, crossing the floor has two meanings referring to a change of allegiance in a Westminster system parliament.The term originates from the British House of Commons, which is configured with the Government and Opposition facing each other on rows of benches...
between the election and the opening of the new session, making it evenly split 60-60. As such, the Democrats and Republicans shared leadership of the body.
Senate
House of Representatives
See also
- North Carolina General Assembly, 2003-2004 session.