Democracy Dies in Darkness
Opinion

Texas ignited a gerrymandering war. We will all pay the price.

Redistricting reform could die as it becomes another polarizing and partisan blood sport.

7 min
People protest Texas Republicans' plan for congressional redistricting on Monday in Austin. (Jay Janner/AP)
By

David Daley is author of “Ratf**ked: Why Your Vote Doesn’t Count” and “Antidemocratic: Inside the Far Right’s 50-Year Plot to Control American Elections.”

The 2026 midterms might not be decided by tariffs, President Donald Trump’s approval ratings or even Sydney Sweeney’s divisive American Eagle ad — but by gerrymandering. Just a handful of seats separate the two parties, and first Republicans and now Democrats are angling for more before votes are cast.

What readers are saying

The comments reflect a deep frustration with the current state of redistricting, highlighting the partisan nature of gerrymandering and its impact on democracy. Many commenters express a desire for nonpartisan redistricting commissions to ensure fairness, while others suggest... Show more
This summary is AI-generated. AI can make mistakes and this summary is not a replacement for reading the comments.
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