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Democrats' gerrymandering problem
A few months ago, it looked like Republicans’ attempts to gerrymander their way into a House majority might not be as successful as they had hoped.
After Texas Republicans passed their own maps to squeeze out more GOP seats in a controversial mid-decade redistricting effort, California Gov. Gavin Newsom proposed Prop. 50, a ballot measure to redraw its districts.
It looked like the two maps would cancel each other out. But Republicans have since ramped up their redistricting efforts.
The Republican House and Senate in North Carolina have approved new maps that dismantle the state’s only competitive district, currently held by Democratic Rep. Don Davis — one of three Black members of Congress from the state. The maps could formally pass at any time.
The maps are likely to be challenged in court as a violation of the Voting Rights Act but the Supreme Court appears to be leaning toward limiting the ability of lawmakers to use race as a factor in redistricting, even when it is done to prevent discrimination.
That’s just the tip of the iceberg.
- In Missouri, lawmakers passed another map in September that gives Republicans a stronger chance of winning one more seat.
- In Kansas, Republicans are finalizing plans for potential redistricting with an eye on suburban areas.
- In Indiana, state Republicans currently don’t have the votes to move forward on redistricting, but it doesn’t mean they are giving up.
Each of these gerrymanders gives Republicans one or two more seats, potentially giving them a lock on the House majority even if more Americans vote for a Democratic candidate.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries knows this. And he has recently stepped up his own push with recent meetings in both Illinois and Maryland with leaders about possible redistricting efforts.
Even if Californians approve their counter-gerrymander this November, that won’t be enough.
More blue states will need to take action — and soon. Where Democratic governors have the option to redraw their maps, they will need to start moving forward now.
No one likes gerrymandering, but Republicans have chosen to play by a different set of rules. Democrats can’t afford to take the high road here.
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"I feel so helpless as a senior who recently retired. How can I find hope in a world that feels hopeless?"
— Lisa Henry
Hi Lisa,
I get it! Some days I flip through the news and it feels pretty downright depressing. But what gives me hope is when I see neighbors standing up for each other in the face of immigration raids, when I see millions of Americans marching peacefully at last weekend’s No Kings protests and when I see candidates put their hat in the ring to run for office who have never been involved in politics before. Moments like this can feel overwhelming. But every action you take inspires others to stand up, and when enough people join together, anything is possible. So no matter how dispirited you feel, take the time to write five letters to members of Congress or spend 5 minutes talking to a neighbor about what’s going on with the government shutdown. Do what you can, and know that whatever you do will play a part in making change happen.
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This week on the podcast
As a Democratic leader of a Republican state, Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear knows a few things about how the party can win in unfavorable territory. I sat down with him this week on the second episode of the brand-new season of “The Blueprint” podcast to talk about what it will take for Democrats to win over working class voters. Subscribe now and never miss an episode.