Gerrymandering battles escalate across states

Congressional redistricting has transformed from a routine population adjustment into a strategic political weapon. Texas Republicans are targeting five Democratic seats to maintain House control in 2026, prompting California Democrats to retaliate by redrawing their own maps.

This tit-for-tat approach is spreading to multiple states and is enabled by sophisticated computer technology and predictable voting patterns. Proposed solutions include establishing mapmaking guidelines, court interventions, and independent redistricting commissions, which polls show have broad public support.

However, these approaches face significant limitations, as even independent processes can be influenced by political pressure. The most effective solutions would be national reforms like proportional representation or a federal ban on gerrymandering, but both face substantial political obstacles in implementation.