We want to propose a fallback plan for the two major political parties if one or more states actually carry out their gerrymandering threats.
We propose that candidates, volunteers, donors, and political operatives mount massive efforts to compete in opposition territory. Do the hard work to change minds and earn new voters. You might surprise everyone by winning a gerrymandered opposition district. But it can’t happen unless you try.
The gerrymandering war is beginning to look serious. Leaders in several “red” and “blue” states are contemplating redistricting for partisan advantage in advance of the midterms rather than under the usual ten-year census cycle. If they succeed, they will further undermine the quality of democracy in our republic.
Too many states have already denied many of their citizens real competition for power. As the Election Reformer’s Network observed, in the 1990s, only 40% of the seats in the House of Representatives were considered a sure thing for one party or the other; now that figure is 83%.
The incentive for donors and political operatives is to give up on the safe-seat districts and concentrate everything on the few districts that look like they could “swing” from one party to the other.
That incentive is perverse. It runs contrary to the very foundation of government by, for, and of the people – lawmaking by representatives made accountable to the citizens by having to compete for their votes in elections. Gerrymandering takes away competition and thus accountability.
We strongly believe the best way to win power is by coming up with the best problem-solving ideas that serve the most people, and then putting those ideas into competition everywhere, not just in the swing districts.
Gerrymandering, gridlock, polarization, insults, threats, and violence are all signs that party leaders haven’t worked hard enough to come up with enough good ideas.
Citizens have a right to demand better.
Citizens can demand better by contacting their local party leaders, state governors, and state representatives.
Click here to learn more about how the U.S. government is set up and how it works.
