Card 36: Partisan Gerrymandering

PARTISAN GERRYMANDERING?

The Supreme Court States,
“Race Doesn’t Matter Now Because Racism Is Gone.”

IN LOUISIANA VS. CALLAIS, the Court ruled against the Constitution’s intent for free and fair elections for all Americans and gutted the Voting Rights Act, which has been in force since 1965.

THIS DECISION, issued on April 29, challenged 60 years of rules that protect voters from discrimination. By ruling that states can redraw districts to favor one party without regard for minority voters, the Court endorsed partisan gerrymandering. In response, some southern states quickly redrew maps ahead of the 2026 midterms to eliminate minority-dominated districts.

GERRYMANDERING involves drawing voting district lines to favor certain parties, groups, or socioeconomic classes, mainly through “cracking”’ (breaking up concentrations of voters into multiple districts to dilute their voting power) and “packing” (consolidating opposition voters into one district to weaken their influence). It can give incumbents an unfair advantage, allowing them to choose voters rather than voters choosing them, undermining the constitutional ideal of “free and fair elections.”

IT’S IMPORTANT TO NOTE: States now have the authority to draw any voting districts they choose; federal courts can no longer fulfill their constitutional duty when adjudicating such matters.

OUR DEMOCRATIC SYSTEM is based on the core idea that everyone deserves equal representation. The Constitution, amended six times with two-thirds state approval, expanded voter access and equality, reinforced by the 1965 Voting Rights Act. We now face the challenge of ensuring that all citizens, regardless of race, gender, political affiliation, or location, receive fair representation.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

The most impactful tool you can use is voter registration. Young people, including high school and college students, and older Americans living in nursing homes and senior communities should register. Don’t forget to reach out to folks in rural areas who might have trouble getting to the polls because of transportation issues. Your local Indivisible group will support you with helpful resources at https://indivisible.org/

WATCH CLOSELY AND SPEAK UP! Let your state legislators know exactly how you feel about redrawing districts to discriminate against minorities and about the fair representation we all expect. Calling and writing your state representatives is a powerful way to make your voice heard. Do it often; the more they hear from you, the better. Get involved by joining local groups that fight barriers to voting.

TALK WITH CANDIDATES running for state legislature or Congress. Ask them about their opinions on fair and free elections. Tell them what you think and what you want.

ADVOCATE for nonpartisan districting commissions to draw fair maps in all states. Ask your representative and senators to reintroduce the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Act in the next Congress.  

VOTE! VOTE! VOTE! Ensure you, your family, and friends are registered to vote, and help others register and vote in November. Vote in EVERY race, not just the major ones.

When We Turn Out to Vote in Massive Numbers, We Can Overcome Any Amount of Gerrymandering.