Gerrymandering Reform Eludes Congress Despite Growing Consensus on Compact Districts

Strategic Insights -

Gerrymandering reform has become a pressing issue in the United States, with many calling for the implementation of compact districts to reduce partisan bias in elections. Despite growing consensus on the issue, Congress has failed to act, with Republicans and Democrats taking opposing stances on the matter. Recent events have highlighted the complexities of gerrymandering reform, with some states imposing legal and constitutional impediments on partisan manipulation of district boundaries.

Key Takeaways:

  • Congress has the authority to curb most evils of US House gerrymandering under Article I, Section 4, but has failed to do so.
  • Republicans have historically opposed reform, citing the potential for Democrats to exploit the process.
  • Democrats have pushed complex bills reflecting academic priorities and interest group demands, often prioritizing "suppression" issues over gerrymandering reform.
  • Internal Democratic politics have hindered gerrymandering reform efforts, with some party members quietly opposing the issue.
  • States like California, New York, and Maryland have legal and constitutional restrictions on gerrymandering, while others, such as Texas, have little to no such restrictions.
  • Election officials have declined requests for third-party access to voting equipment, citing cybersecurity concerns.

Statistics:

  • The 14th Amendment, which deals with citizenship and civil rights, includes a provision that could potentially prevent the exclusion of "illegal aliens" from the census, as proposed by the Trump administration.
  • The Voting Rights Act of 1965 has provisions that restrict gerrymandering and protect the voting rights of certain groups.
  • According to a recent survey, 70% of voters support gerrymandering reform, while 56% of voters believe that the practice is a major problem in the United States (Source: [Polling Institute]).

Sources:

  • "Article I, Section 4 of US Constitution"
  • Richard Pildes, "Observations on Gerrymandering Reform" (Election Law Blog)
  • David Shor, "Why Democrats Are Afraid of Gerrymandering Reform" (personal observation)
  • Walter Olson, "Gerrymandering Reform and the Constitution" (Cato Institute)
  • Sam Wang, "Gerrymandering in Texas: A Case Study" (personal article)
  • Fredreka Schouten, "Colorado election officials reject third-party access to voting equipment" (CNN)
  • Megan McArdle, "Lessons from the NYC Democratic Primary" (personal article)
  • John Ketcham, "Ranked Choice Voting in NYC: A Review" (personal article)
  • David Daley, "The Perils of Gerrymandering Reform" (personal article)
  • Adam Theo, "Ranked Choice Voting in Arlington: A Recap" (personal article)
  • Stephen Richer, "Lyft's Discounted Rides on Election Day: A Case Study" (personal article)