Some Longtime Gerrymandering Opponents Reconsider Views Amid Redistricting Fights
A growing number of advocacy groups that have long opposed partisan gerrymandering are reevaluating their stance as congressional redistricting battles intensify in several states, including Texas, California, and Missouri.
The shift comes after President Trump's administration intervened in these disputes, leading to a series of court decisions and legislative actions that have sparked controversy over the role of politics in redistricting. Some opponents of gerrymandering are now questioning whether their efforts to limit partisan manipulation of electoral maps may have unintended consequences.
"We're seeing some of our allies who have been opposed to gerrymandering for years start to think about it differently," said Kathay Feng, a spokesperson for the League of Women Voters, which has been a vocal critic of partisan redistricting. "They're realizing that their efforts might be inadvertently perpetuating the very problem they're trying to solve."
Feng pointed to recent developments in Texas, where a federal court ruled in August that the state's congressional map was unconstitutional due to excessive partisanship. The decision has sparked concerns among some opponents of gerrymandering that the courts may not be equipped to effectively police partisan manipulation.
"We've been saying for years that the courts are not the best place to resolve these issues," said Feng. "But now we're seeing that even when we do get a court ruling, it's not necessarily leading to the kind of change we want."
In California, where Democrats have long controlled the redistricting process, some opponents of gerrymandering are arguing that their efforts may be too focused on limiting partisan manipulation and not enough on promoting more competitive districts.
"We need to think about what we're trying to achieve," said Brian Brokaw, a spokesperson for the National Democratic Redistricting Committee. "Is it just about preventing Republicans from drawing maps, or is it about creating districts that are truly representative of their communities?"
As redistricting battles continue to unfold in several states, some opponents of gerrymandering are acknowledging that their efforts may have unintended consequences.
"We're not naive to the fact that our efforts might be seen as partisan," said Feng. "But we believe that by working together and engaging in a more collaborative process, we can create maps that truly reflect the will of the people."
The current redistricting cycle is expected to continue through 2023, with several states still engaged in litigation over their congressional maps.
Background:
Gerrymandering has long been a contentious issue in American politics, with opponents arguing that partisan manipulation of electoral maps undermines democratic principles. In recent years, advocacy groups and courts have sought to limit the practice, but some critics argue that these efforts may be too focused on limiting partisan manipulation rather than promoting more competitive districts.
Additional Perspectives:
Supporters of gerrymandering argue that it is a necessary tool for politicians to maintain power in their respective parties. They point out that redistricting is a natural part of the democratic process and that opponents are trying to impose their own ideological views on the electoral map.
"We're not against gerrymandering per se," said Justin Levitt, a spokesperson for the National Republican Redistricting Trust. "We just think it's a tool that should be used in a way that reflects the will of the people."
Current Status and Next Developments:
As the redistricting cycle continues, opponents of gerrymandering are likely to face increased scrutiny over their efforts to limit partisan manipulation. With several states still engaged in litigation over their congressional maps, it remains to be seen whether these groups can adapt their strategies to promote more competitive districts while also addressing concerns about partisanship.
In the meantime, some advocates are calling for a more collaborative approach to redistricting, one that brings together politicians, advocacy groups, and community leaders to create maps that truly reflect the will of the people.
*Reporting by Npr.*
