By John Q. Hosedrinker 
California voters recently cast their ballots on a new congressional map designed to potentially yield up to five additional Democratic seats in the House. This move came in response to Texas’s redistricting efforts, which could favor Republicans. The California map, swiftly passed by the state legislature, required voter approval due to the state’s independent commission for map-drawing. This has triggered a national “redistricting war” with other states now redrawing or contemplating adjustments to their own electoral maps.
Read the original article here
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. That seems to be the gist of what’s happening, and the reaction is, well, pretty mixed, to put it mildly. I think the common thread, and it’s something I’m grappling with too, is a deep-seated dislike of gerrymandering. It’s a practice that warps the democratic process, no matter which party is doing the bending. It’s like, we all know it’s bad for the health of the system, like a persistent cough you can’t shake. Yet, the situation feels incredibly complicated.
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. What complicates things is the undeniable reality of the current political landscape. When you’re dealing with a situation where one side is actively trying to undermine democracy and “rig” elections, what do you do? Just sit back and let them chip away at the foundation of our institutions? That’s the dilemma, and it’s a tough one. The sentiment from many seems to be that, as much as they hate gerrymandering, it feels like the only option to fight back in the short term. It’s a sort of “fight fire with fire” approach, a necessary evil, if you will.
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. The underlying worry, though, is that this kind of tit-for-tat actually makes the problem worse in the long run. There’s a concern that it might actually erode voter power and further alienate people from the political process. I heard someone say the “blue wave” was a year late, and the frustration is palpable. The feeling is that the current administration isn’t doing anything to change voters’ minds, leading to, let’s say, a significant expression of disapproval. The response from some is celebratory, seeing it as a deserved comeuppance, especially given the history of Republican gerrymandering. “Payback is a bitch,” they’re saying, with a definite sense of vindication.
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. Then there is the very real issue of the lack of real options available to correct this behavior. The sentiment is that the GOP is the one forcing the Dems’ hands, a lot of the opinion is that the Trump administration is to blame for the current state of affairs. He essentially gave the okay for this kind of behavior, the idea is that this is his fault. The overall tone is one of frustration that this is even necessary, but a strong conviction that it is, at least in the present. The temporary nature of the changes, with a built-in expiration date, also seems to be a key point.
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. The situation is seen as a kind of proportional retaliation. When there are no rules, retaliation is the only option, especially if the other party is using tactics to gain an advantage. This idea of “fight fire with fire” becomes the default position. There’s also an understanding that this is a temporary fix, designed to counteract the actions of the Texas GOP. If Texas doesn’t redraw the maps, then the California map adjustment doesn’t even kick in. The maps are set to expire in 2030, which should add a degree of reassurance.
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. It seems there is a strong sentiment that this is a necessary evil, the only way to combat what is seen as the anti-democratic power grab by Republicans. Some are hopeful that this might force the Republican party to reassess its strategy. Many believe that gerrymandering should be eliminated entirely. A lot of the people I heard from feel that they had no choice. There is also the opinion that there aren’t any downsides, and that it’s the right way to fight back against this kind of behavior. There’s also the notion that some of the changes are a way to “make city-folk votes count what they should, 1 for 1.”
CNN Projection California will approve redistricting push to create more Democrat-friendly US House districts. Some feel that even those with conservative values support this change. Trump is seen as a catalyst for a lot of what’s happening. The idea is that the short-term benefit, in this case, might be coming at a cost. There’s a worry that these actions, even when justified, can erode the country overall. Some people are concerned about the long-term impact on the political landscape. The consensus seems to be that the Biden/Harris fiasco didn’t help, and that there needs to be a reevaluation of elected officials. I also got a sense that a lot of people feel that the situation is a distraction.