Efforts to subvert the electoral system and make mid-decade changes in state congressional districts has led to more partisan divisiveness
By Michael O’Looney
In President Donald Trump’s never-ending efforts to keep himself and his party in power, well, forever, Trump stirred the pot and coerced the folks in Texas to draw up a new congressional redistricting map that would help the Republicans win five more seats in Congress, an effort to assure that the GOP would remain in control of the country after the 2026 midterm elections.
No thought was given to the tradition of configuring redistricting maps every 10 years. No thought was given to the 1962 Supreme Court ruling, Baker v. Carr, that made redistricting subject to the approval of the federal judiciary. This decision ensured fair representation, so that no one political party could redraw voting districts for their advantage. There is even now a discussion for establishing independent nonpartisan redistricting commissions.
Anything’s better than allowing the self-interest of partisan, power-mad politicians to redraw district maps that favor their own party.
An ‘uncivil war’
But there is an ongoing ‘nonviolent uncivil war’ taking place in America. A country where Republican and Democratic congressmen exchange derisive blows at one another from across the aisle. A country where late-night comedians satirize the president who then violates the First Amendment by intimidating broadcasters to dump programs he doesn’t like. And a country where the far-right media berate the so-called slanted coverage of the so-called liberal media with slanted commentaries of their own.
The uncivil war is being waged at the micro-level as well. Individuals Americans have to change their Thanksgiving plans so that Uncle Bill, wearing his MAGA cap, is no longer invited for turkey dinner. People now base their residential requirements — red or blue state — on their political leanings. (“Hell no, I wouldn’t live in that state with all them deluded red/blue buffoons for all the bitcoins in cyberspace!”)
Trump has accused the Democrats of stealing the 2020 election, or so we’ve heard a thousand times. But isn’t that what he’s now trying to do with his redistricting plans? For the 2026 election, the plan is simple: The Republicans need to outnumber their political adversaries in blue districts in order to improve their chances of winning more elections and keeping their Supreme Leader in power.
Tit-for-tat chaos
No wonder California Gov. Gavin Newsom has led a successful campaign for redistricting California so the five new red Texans are evenly matched with five blue Californians. Unfortunately, Newsome’s move, although showing some spunk, has degenerated into tit-for-tat chaos. In retaliation, politicians in Louisiana, Missouri and North Carolina have sought to change their voting districts to favor a Republican outcome. Is there no end to this uncivil war?
Is Newsom right in trying to keep the Republicans from trying to rig the midterm elections? Or is he wrong to counterattack, to wage a quid pro quo campaign in an effort to keep the status quo? Is he deepening the divide and inciting an arms race as matters go in redistricting?
The Supreme Court in 1962 foresaw how political parties would manipulate redistricting. Which is what is happening now. Texas should never have been allowed to redistrict its political map before 2030. Trump and the Texas Legislature are responsible for a partisan power grab that has unleashed bitterness and partisan vindictiveness, all in an effort to subvert an electoral system for partisan ends, not the good of the nation.
Michael O’Looney lives in Talent.
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