Gerrymandering

June 28, 2019

Every history of gerrymandering includes a reference to Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry, who, in 1812, approved a state Senate district shaped like a salamander that became known as a “Gerry-Mander.” The Supreme Court just ruled that the drawing of voting districts is a state issue, and could not be litigated in the courts. Despite the fact that their are no clean hands here, the Supreme Court has once again ruled in favor of voter suppression. It was described by some as allowing elected officials to choose their voters, and not vice versa. Yes, it should get credit for disallowing the citizenship question on the census, but its continuing erosion on voter rights is dangerous and cynical.

The evisceration of the Voting Rights Act has lead to extremely aggressive actions by many states to limit access to the voting booth. This was as predictable as Citizens United leading to a deluge of dark money into the political process. These actions are designed to restrict and impede voting by minorities. As Donald Trump would say, “Everybody knows this.” The other thing that everyone knows is what goes around, comes around.