In a brazen transfer, Republicans in Texas have got down to redraw the state’s congressional map — an effort to spice up President Trump and the GOP within the 2026 midterm elections.
That might imply scrapping the political strains drawn by an impartial residents fee, which voters created practically twenty years in the past to take line-drawing away from the state’s politicians.
Chabria: I agree that the Vegas odds are on the facet of this tit-for-tat being nothing greater than a partisan headline-grabber.
However.
There’s a bigger and extra essential query right here that boils right down to how critically you consider our democracy is in jeopardy.
If, Mark — as I feel you might be inclined to no less than hope — this too shall cross and our subsequent election can be free and honest, nevertheless it could land, then the concept of gerrymandering our congressional districts might be nothing however appalling. That is very true in California, one of many few states by which the individuals have voted to make sure our electoral maps are drawn with nonpartisan equity in thoughts.
If, like me, nevertheless, you assume we’re on a knife’s fringe of dropping our democracy to authoritarianism — or no less than an oligarchy the place hate is wielded for energy — then gerrymandering turns into a type of peaceable resistance.
I’ll dive into that extra, however possibly that’s the place we begin. Do you assume our democracy is sound and what we’re witnessing is only a interval of discontent that can cross with out lasting hurt?
Barabak: I positive hope so.
I yield to nobody in my disgust with Trump and concern about what he’s doing. He’s authoritarian. Autocratic. Boastful. Anti-democratic. And that’s not even getting previous the letter “A.”
For example: In 2013 Democrats had been so upset about Republican blockading of President Obama’s judicial and govt department nominations that Senate Majority Chief Harry Reid invoked the “nuclear option.” At Reid’s behest, the Senate narrowly voted to alter its guidelines and disallow the filibustering of presidential nominees.
The result’s Protection Secretary Pete Hegseth, Well being and Human Providers Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and a complete clown automobile of Trump Cupboard members.
And whereas Democrats explicitly mentioned the rule change wouldn’t apply to the Supreme Court docket, as soon as the door was open Republicans shouldered their means via and eradicated the filibuster for these nominees as properly. The result’s Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett and the excessive courtroom’s 6-3 Trump-coddling conservative super-majority.
Those that combat fireplace with fireplace threat getting badly burned.
If Democrats need a battle over redistricting, Republicans have much more methods to gerrymander and doubtlessly achieve seats — in locations similar to Florida, Missouri and Ohio — than Democrats.
Chabria: Little doubt. However, and that is as little as it will get, I’ll pay the worth of a Hegseth, possibly even two, if it actually does save democracy. Right here’s the fact: The one hope of a Congress that can curb Trump via the democratic course of is shifting no less than some energy to Democrats within the 2026 election.
If Texas Republicans, underneath stress from Trump, handle to redraw as many as 5 new GOP-leaning seats — and it doesn’t blow up of their faces, which it might — the transfer would increase the possibilities the Home stays a Trump entourage and the prospect of authoritarianism goes from brush fireplace to wildfire.
The reality is that gerrymandering is way extra widespread than most understand. Kevin Johnson, an knowledgeable with the Election Reformers Community, wrote just lately that “In the 1990s, only 40% of the seats in the House of Representatives were considered a sure thing for one party or the other, now that figure is 83%.” That’s as a result of most states gerrymander.
Actually, the one really aggressive races happen in states similar to California which have impartial, nonpartisan people drawing the election maps. So to play satan’s advocate, we’ve already misplaced to gerrymandering within the U.S. and California simply doesn’t realize it.
That’s an issue that might be solved if a future president and Congress wished to take action. Nevertheless it requires attending to a future president and Congress. I at all times put this on the file: I care neither about Republicans or Democrats. I care about democracy.
If California gerrymandered, helped flip Congress into an actual verify towards authoritarianism and left fixing gerrymandering for later, would it not actually be so unhealthy?
Barabak: Your crystal ball have to be much less hazy than mine.
I’m not all satisfied that even a achieve of 5 Texas Home seats would assure GOP management of the Home. (And let me put this on the file: I feel what Trump and his Texas handmaidens are doing is totally reprehensible.)
Since World Struggle II, the out-party has picked up a mean of greater than two dozen Home seats in midterm elections. Democrats want a achieve of three to grab management.
There’s even, as you counsel, an opportunity Republicans’ political pigginess backfires by spreading their voters too skinny, creating districts that Democrats would possibly decide up if there’s a large enough blue wave.
Chabria: I don’t have a crystal ball. What I do have is a deep properly of foreboding, however an optimist’s hope that your blue wave, power-to-the-people state of affairs occurs.
It’s drastic, and may wind up tied up in courts indefinitely.
As a result of this combat is completely different.
Barabak: This will likely sound Pollyannaish, however I feel there’s nothing about these frightful occasions that may’t be remedied on the poll field.
Texas might have a aggressive U.S. Senate race subsequent 12 months. If Texans don’t just like the ruthlessness of GOP lawmakers and their energy seize, they will ship a message by electing a Democrat, serving to the celebration overcome the chances and take management of the chamber. That might put a verify on Trump, no matter whether or not Republicans cling onto the Home.
It’s within the palms of voters. If democracy goes to be protected and preserved, it’s as much as them. Not scheming politicians.
