Stop Gerrymandering in the US NOW!

I write today as a concerned American deeply troubled by the ongoing partisan gerrymandering in Texas—a situation that poses a grave threat to fair representation, democratic legitimacy, and the sacred principle of “one person, one vote.” Currently, Texas Republicans are using a special legislative session convened by Governor Abbott to redraw U.S. House districts mid‑cycle, an unusual step taken without a new census. The goal is to gain up to five additional Republican districts out of Texas’s 38 seats. This map proposes to dismantle districts held by Democratic representatives—by scattering communities across multiple safe GOP districts through a classic crack‑and‑pack strategy . In protest, over 50 Texas House Democrats fled the state—to deny the Legislature a quorum required to pass the plan. In response, Texas Republicans issued symbolic civil arrest warrants and imposed daily fines, intensifying partisan conflict without changing the vote’s outcome. The consequences are profound: • It risks weakening competition and accountability, making many districts effectively foregone conclusions long before Election Day. • It sets a dangerous precedent. If such bold partisan redistricting succeeds in Texas, other states may follow—making elections even more distorted across the country  . Why this matters to all of Congress: This isn’t just a Texas issue—it’s a national reckoning. The U.S. Supreme Court has declared partisan gerrymandering a political matter outside federal judicial review, meaning structural reforms at the legislative level are critical . Unless addressed, such map‑drawing can entrench minority rule and erode our democratic foundations. I urge Congress to take these actions: -Enact a federal safeguard—such as congressional legislation or an amendment—to prohibit mid‑decade partisan redistricting and ensure all states adopt fair, transparent, independent redistricting commissions. -Reinforce and expand the Voting Rights Act, especially Section 2 protections, to protect racial and coalition districts from manipulative map‑making—even in the absence of preclearance. -Investigate and pause any redistricting efforts in states where maps are drawn solely—and disproportionately—for partisan gain, particularly those that dilute minority voting strength. -Support public transparency, hearings, and community-driven map‑drawing instead of closed-door partisan processes. In Texas and beyond, gerrymandering robs citizens of electoral voice and diminishes trust in government. But it doesn’t have to be this way. Fair maps, competitive elections, and empowered voters should be the norm, not excuses for power grabs. I urge you to act swiftly to reaffirm America’s commitment to equal representation—and stop dangerous gerrymanders wherever they arise.