On Thursday, 6/8/2023, the United States Supreme Court upheld the decision against gerrymandering in the state of Alabama. This decision could dramatically change what will happen in other states that have lawsuits against gerrymandering.
This is extremely important as Republican politicians continue to implement voter suppression bills that will positively affect the outcome of elections in favor of the republican party.
Gerrymandering: A Reminder
Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one political party over another. It is a form of political manipulation that can undermine the democratic process and lead to a number of negative consequences. It needs to be eliminated. Gerrymandering is racist.
Gerrymandering: The Downsides
- It can lead to unfair elections. When districts are drawn in a way that favors one party or group, it can make it more difficult for the other party or group to win elections. This can lead to a situation where the party in power is able to maintain control even if they do not have the support of the majority of voters.
- It can reduce voter turnout. When voters feel that their vote does not matter because their district is already decided, they are less likely to turn out to vote. This can lead to a less representative government and a decrease in civic engagement.
- It can increase polarization. When districts are drawn to isolate people with different political views, it can increase political polarization. This can make it more difficult for the government to function effectively and can lead to gridlock.
- It can undermine the principle of one person, one vote. The principle of one person, one vote holds that every person’s vote should have equal weight in an election. Gerrymandering can violate this principle by creating districts with different voters. This can give some voters more power than others and can lead to a less representative government.
Gerrymandering: Reducing Negative Consequences
- Independent redistricting commissions. Independent redistricting commissions are made up of people who are not affiliated with any political party. They are responsible for drawing electoral district boundaries fairly and impartially.
- Nonpartisan redistricting criteria. Nonpartisan redistricting criteria are guidelines that are used to draw electoral district boundaries fairly and impartially. These criteria typically include factors such as compactness, contiguity, and population equality.
- Court oversight of redistricting. Courts can play a role in ensuring that redistricting is done fairly and impartially. They can review redistricting plans and strike down plans that violate the principle of one person, one vote, or otherwise discriminatory.
Gerrymandering is a serious problem that can undermine the democratic process. There are a number of reforms that can be implemented to reduce the negative consequences of gerrymandering. These reforms can help to ensure that elections are fair, that voter turnout is high, and that the government is more representative of the people.
States That Could See A Change
Here’s a list of states that have gerrymander-related lawsuits within the last year or two from this Brennan Center for Justice article: Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, and Washington. If you see your state, check out the details from the article.
With the Supreme Court’s decision mentioned above, we have a chance to correct this discriminatory behavior that has happened in our states.