RALEIGH — Proposed North Carolina congressional districts for the next decade are receiving mixed reviews at public meetings being held throughout the state.

State House and Senate members took comments Thursday at nine hearing sites from Wilmington to Cullowhee on a map for 13 U.S. House seats drafted by Republicans. The map reflects a population increase of 1.5 million people in the state since 2000.

Democratic speakers criticized the proposal as gerrymandering that would diminish the power of black voters. Former congressional candidate Steve Ivester said people in smaller cities like Hickory and Greenville also would suffer.

Former GOP state Sen. Woody White of Wilmington praised lawmakers for a map he said would give southeastern voters the chance to elect a Republican for the first time in more than a century.