“Redistricting” is the palatable term that brings credibility and the appearance of necessity to an age-old political tactic of gerrymandering.  While true redistricting is necessary as populations migrate, move from the city to the suburbs, convert rural land to housing developments, it is a tool that has most often been misused and can even flip elections.

In June, the Supreme Court threw out a challenge by progressive organizations that were unhappy with the GOP’s redistricting map for the House.  The judges responded that the judiciary is not a party to redistricting–that it is a matter for voters and political parties to solve. Some are saying that was a wise move.

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According to the Wall Street Journal, “Last year a Democratic majority on the Pennsylvania  Supreme Court (judges are elected in that state) held that the Republica-0drawn House map violated the state constitutional guarantee to free elections. The liberal judges then redrew the map to help Democrats pick up three seats in 2018. Democrats led by Obama Attorney General Eric Holder are now using the same playbook in North Carolina.

A North Carolina lower court in September ruled that the state legislative map violated the state constitution by making it harder for Democratic voters to elect Democrats. Mr. Holder’s redistricting lobby and litigation ship then challenged and won an injunction against the House map last month.”

This process is being repeated again and again by the Holder-led brigade.  Redistricting maps are only being introduced or being contested in areas where GOP seats are “flippable” with some new “creative” district lines being drawn.  According to the Duke University study by Duke professors (one of whom is hailed as an expert by Democrats in their redistricting efforts), determined that a map that is drawn solely based on neutral factors such as “compactness and contiguity” would most likely give Republicans an 8-5 edge.

So, a map drawn only by density, and community clusters, which would seem the fairest, is pushed aside for maps drawn and redrawn to gain the most seats.  Have you looked at the map of your district?  Do you wonder why the district maps are often so strangely shaped and encompass an odd swath of territory?  Likely, that district was “redistricted” to gain potential votes.

Gerrymandering/redistricting is the political plan for 2020. It worked in Virginia. They are banking on it working in many states that went red last Presidential election.  While we are looking at polls, attending rallies, watching ads, and feeling good about our candidates’ numbers and progress, they are redrawing lines and in essence, shifting votes.  This, to quote the Jeremy Story, IFA Board member, is one of “the most pressing” needs to be praying about for 2020.