Redistricting Battles

As states redraw congressional maps to reflect 2020 census population changes, disputes are erupting over districts designed to favor one party, a process known as partisan gerrymandering. In both Republican and Democratic-controlled states, fewer House seats will be competitive this year. The political climate has become increasingly polarized, and gerrymandering has intensified despite polls showing that voters dislike the practice. In recent years, multiple states have passed ballot initiatives taking redistricting out of the hands of elected officials in hopes of fairer outcomes. The commissions they have created, however, have a mixed record of success. The Supreme Court has ruled that partisan gerrymanders cannot be challenged in federal courts. That decision, along with others weakening the Voting Rights Act, have made it easier for legislatures to draw maps that disadvantage minority voters, according to civil rights groups. Republicans are hoping new maps will favor them, but Democrats believe many seats will grow more competitive over time.