The Daily A Plan to End Partisan Gerrymandering
Jul 29, 2019
Eric H. Holder Jr., former U.S. attorney general under Obama, delves into the complex world of partisan gerrymandering. He discusses the recent Supreme Court ruling limiting federal court involvement, raising concerns about electoral fairness. Holder explores the urgent need for public awareness and support for reforms aimed at transparent districting. He emphasizes the challenges of gaining bipartisan cooperation and highlights how recent elections and journalism play pivotal roles in uncovering these political manipulations. The fight for equitable voting practices never felt more crucial.
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2010 Midterm Elections
- In 2010, Eric Holder was in his second year as attorney general during the midterm elections.
- Democrats suffered significant losses, which Holder and Obama referred to as a "shellacking."
Republican Strategy
- Republicans realized that winning state-level elections would give them control over redistricting in 2011.
- This control allowed them to manipulate district lines, giving them an advantage in the U.S. House of Representatives.
Gerrymandering Impact
- In North Carolina, Ohio, and Wisconsin, Democrats received around half the votes but significantly fewer congressional seats in 2018.
- This outcome demonstrates how gerrymandering, implemented in 2011, impacted election results.