2025/2026 Elections Congressional & State

[GannonFan]

Eh, this one I can't get up in arms about. First of all, if that's what voters in Texas want to do then let 'em. I don't live there. If it was happening where I lived and I didn't like it I would get involved. People need to take ownership of where they live and make the changes they need to make to make where they live better. We still have a federal system of government - people need to look after their own state and local areas to make all of this work. And second, while opening up the redistricting midstream isn't common, given the prevalence of court cases that drag out fights over gerrymandering for years and over multiple election cycles, it is more and more common for maps to change throughout the midstream period as cases get debated and not just at the 10 year census count marks. It doesn't make what Texas is doing right, but nothing about gerrymandering is ever right. Politics is often distasteful, and what is happening in Texas is politics.

[UNI88]

Eh, this one I can't get up in arms about. First of all, if that's what voters in Texas want to do then let 'em. I don't live there. If it was happening where I lived and I didn't like it I would get involved. People need to take ownership of where they live and make the changes they need to make to make where they live better. We still have a federal system of government - people need to look after their own state and local areas to make all of this work. And second, while opening up the redistricting midstream isn't common, given the prevalence of court cases that drag out fights over gerrymandering for years and over multiple election cycles, it is more and more common for maps to change throughout the midstream period as cases get debated and not just at the 10 year census count marks. It doesn't make what Texas is doing right, but nothing about gerrymandering is ever right. Politics is often distasteful, and what is happening in Texas is politics.

If I remember correctly, you also didn't have a problem with mail-in voting during Covid. You're consistent and don't change your opinion based on who or what party is favored. I can't say the same about others and I do enjoy pointing out the double standard/hypocrisy.

[GannonFan]

Eh, this one I can't get up in arms about. First of all, if that's what voters in Texas want to do then let 'em. I don't live there. If it was happening where I lived and I didn't like it I would get involved. People need to take ownership of where they live and make the changes they need to make to make where they live better. We still have a federal system of government - people need to look after their own state and local areas to make all of this work. And second, while opening up the redistricting midstream isn't common, given the prevalence of court cases that drag out fights over gerrymandering for years and over multiple election cycles, it is more and more common for maps to change throughout the midstream period as cases get debated and not just at the 10 year census count marks. It doesn't make what Texas is doing right, but nothing about gerrymandering is ever right. Politics is often distasteful, and what is happening in Texas is politics.

If I remember correctly, you also didn't have a problem with mail-in voting during Covid. You're consistent and don't change your opinion based on who or what party is favored. I can't say the same about others and I do enjoy pointing out the double standard/hypocrisy.

I'm not a fan of mail-in voting, I like the European model of an election day holiday, everyone voting in person, and everyone voting with an ID (and making ID's for this purpose super easy to get). But again, the local angle figures in with that - there are plenty of places still where there aren't enough voting locations and not enough volunteers to go around. If you have to stand in line more than 10-20 minutes then it's too long. And that typically falls onto the local government, and to some extent the state government. They aren't advocating and stepping up for their own constituents enough to make it work properly. Where I live, in one township, there are at least 4 different polling places (you only get assigned to one). I think I only stood in a serious line for the 2016 election, and that for maybe 20 minutes. Every other election I almost walk in. But that happens because local officials, and at the state level, do their job and run it well, and because the voters (like me) demand it that way and follow through.

So yeah, make sure every precinct runs the way my home one does and we can run voting like Europe does. In the meantime, we'll have to be flexible.

[DSUrocks07]

I've said for years that Election Day should be a national holiday, and all general elections nationwide should be held on that day. For non-election years, have local organized parades where sitting officials and potential future candidates attend and meet and greet their constituents.

What better way to promote "democracy" than have a national celebration of the electoral process in this country and educating the masses on who the fuck they're are actually voting form. Election day should be in the same nomenclature as Independence Day, IMO.

Too many local elections (especially municipalities) get away with having them occur on some random midweek day in the spring and cycles that are inconsistent at best. That is what benefits incumbents the most, especially the shittiest ones.

Sent from my SM-S928U1 using Tapatalk

[UNI88]

Putting this here since this is where we're discussing the Texas redistricting ...

Democrats press for Hatch Act investigation into White House redistricting push

The Hatch Act — which bars federal employees from participating in political activity while on duty or on federal property — does not apply to the president. But the Democratic senators said the administration officials could be in violation of the law and asked the OSC to investigate.

“While the President may not be subject to the Hatch Act’s restrictions on political activities, his senior officials at the White House and the U.S. Department of Justice are subject to its legal requirements,” the letter read. “Multiple reports indicate that White House officials are involved in a political pressure campaign to convince Republicans in Texas and other states to redraw district lines with the goal of providing an advantage to the Republican party in the 2026 midterm elections.”

“We believe an OSC investigation is warranted to determine whether senior White House officials are violating the law’s prohibition on impermissible partisan political activity,” the senators continued in the letter.

The senators raised similar concerns with a Department of Justice (DOJ) letter that they said “may violate the Hatch Act.”

[BDKJMU]

No, just the gerrymandering in general donks have been winning. Bout time conks played hardball. I don’t GAF when they do it. Beginning, middle, or end census.

Well Mr. Reading is Essential, what part of "And the yahoos who complained about the expansion of mail-in voting during COVID will twist themselves into logical pretzels trying to tell us why mid-Census redistricting is okay" did you not understand?

You MAQA yahoos jump on my case if my response goes beyond what was in their OP; now the shoe is on the other foot. TBH - I don't really give a shit if you do it just don't go all all snowflake Karen when I or others do. It's a message board, lighten up Francis!

Donks hardly have a monopoly on gerrymandering. Both sides have been doing it for decades. California has been one of the better states at not doing it since 2011. They're actually talking about doing away with their independent commission to counter Texas.

Back to the original post, you bitched up a storm about Donks changing the rules of the game midstream with the expansion of mail-in voting during Covid, now Texas is trying to change the rules of the game with mid-Census redistricting. Where is the righteous outrage? Or does it only matter when the other sider does it?

The donks STARTED the game of changing the rules midstream. So if the donks can change the rules midstream, then conks should do it too in response. What’s good for the goose is good for the gander.

[BDKJMU]

Eh, this one I can't get up in arms about. First of all, if that's what voters in Texas want to do then let 'em. I don't live there. If it was happening where I lived and I didn't like it I would get involved. People need to take ownership of where they live and make the changes they need to make to make where they live better. We still have a federal system of government - people need to look after their own state and local areas to make all of this work. And second, while opening up the redistricting midstream isn't common, given the prevalence of court cases that drag out fights over gerrymandering for years and over multiple election cycles, it is more and more common for maps to change throughout the midstream period as cases get debated and not just at the 10 year census count marks. It doesn't make what Texas is doing right, but nothing about gerrymandering is ever right. Politics is often distasteful, and what is happening in Texas is politics.

If I remember correctly, you also didn't have a problem with mail-in voting during Covid. You're consistent and don't change your opinion based on who or what party is favored. I can't say the same about others and I do enjoy pointing out the double standard/hypocrisy.

Lol no hypocrisy after someone else throws a punch, you punch back. Donks started the change the rules mid stream game, conks are now playing.

[UNI88]

If I remember correctly, you also didn't have a problem with mail-in voting during Covid. You're consistent and don't change your opinion based on who or what party is favored. I can't say the same about others and I do enjoy pointing out the double standard/hypocrisy.

Lol no hypocrisy after someone else throws a punch, you punch back. Donks started the change the rules mid stream game, conks are now playing.

So it will be okay if after Republicans do this in Texas for Democrats to "punch back" by doing it in California and other states. Is your plan/hope to "Make America Great Again" by tearing it apart at the seams? Let's take pot shots at each other until we destroy a good thing because I don't want to play nice.

They've been playing this game since before you and I were born. Who knows who started it but it didn't start with mail-in voting during Covid. I do know that it's stupid to keep doing it. We need an adult (you know those people you MAQA yahoos kept telling us were now in charge after the 2024 election) to step up and get people to prioritize reason over partisanship.

[BDKJMU]

Lol no hypocrisy after someone else throws a punch, you punch back. Donks started the change the rules mid stream game, conks are now playing.

So it will be okay if after Republicans do this in Texas for Democrats to "punch back" by doing it in California and other states. Is your plan/hope to "Make America Great Again" by tearing it apart at the seams? Let's take pot shots at each other until we destroy a good thing because I don't want to play nice.

They've been playing this game since before you and I were born. Who knows who started it but it didn't start with mail-in voting during Covid. I do know that it's stupid to keep doing it. We need an adult (you know those people you MAQA yahoos kept telling us were now in charge after the 2024 election) to step up and get people to prioritize reason over partisanship.

Lol bless your heart at your naivety.

[UNI88]

So it will be okay if after Republicans do this in Texas for Democrats to "punch back" by doing it in California and other states. Is your plan/hope to "Make America Great Again" by tearing it apart at the seams? Let's take pot shots at each other until we destroy a good thing because I don't want to play nice.

They've been playing this game since before you and I were born. Who knows who started it but it didn't start with mail-in voting during Covid. I do know that it's stupid to keep doing it. We need an adult (you know those people you MAQA yahoos kept telling us were now in charge after the 2024 election) to step up and get people to prioritize reason over partisanship.

Lol bless your heart at your naivety.

So MAQA yahoos were lying about adults taking over too? Did they tell the truth about anything positive? Adults aren't taking over. Tearing America apart rather than making it great.

If naivety means staying optimistic in a world full of partisanship and spite, I’ll own it.

[BDKJMU]

[kalm]

Hey! The Dems make the exact same accusation.

[kalm]

Here’s a solid breakdown of the process and which party has benefitted the most.

The proposed map is intended to help the GOP hold on to the House — where they have a historically narrow majority and history suggests Democrats are very likely to pick up seats — in the midterm elections. The map could help Republicans flip five seats, significantly raising the bar for a Democratic takeover of the chamber.

All of which has set off a predictable round of whataboutism on the right. Yes, Texas Republicans are going for the bare knuckles on this one. But what about all those egregious Democratic gerrymanders? Both sides play this game, right?

Yes, both sides gerrymander. But that doesn’t mean they are equal-opportunity offenders.

Republicans pretty clearly benefit more from gerrymandering, and there’s an increasingly strong case to be made that they go further in using the tools available to them. Gambits like what Texas is doing are rare, and it’s been Republicans who have led the charge.

But this is the subject of plenty of debate, and there’s a school of thought that gerrymandering has become effectively a wash.

https://www.cnn.com/2025/07/31/politics ... s-analysis

[UNI88]

Has posobiec looked at a Congressional district map for Massachusetts? The districts are relatively compact and follow town and city lines pretty closely.

[Caribbean Hen]

Has probisec looked at a Congressional district map for Massachusetts? The districts are relatively compact and follow town and city lines pretty closely.

He probably looked at a more detailed map, that’s where the devil lies

[UNI88]

Has posobiec looked at a Congressional district map for Massachusetts? The districts are relatively compact and follow town and city lines pretty closely.

He probably looked at a more detailed map, that’s where the devil lies

He's a partisan hack, he probably looked at the voting percentages compared to Congressional representation and said determined he could fire up MAQA with it so he tweeted it out without any more research.

[Caribbean Hen]

He probably looked at a more detailed map, that’s where the devil lies

He's a partisan hack, he probably looked at the voting percentages compared to Congressional representation and said determined he could fire up MAQA with it so he tweeted it out without any more research.

Are his numbers correct?

[Bobcat]

They are, here comes the SPIN from the Merry go Round of all merry go rounds!

[UNI88]

He's a partisan hack, he probably looked at the voting percentages compared to Congressional representation and said determined he could fire up MAQA with it so he tweeted it out without any more research.

Are his numbers correct?

Yes.

Are you going to focus on one aspect of possible misalignment that favors your partisan views rather than using your critical thinking skills to look at the big picture?

What’s the Matter with Massachusetts?

In November 2021, then-Governor Charlie Baker of Massachusetts, a Republican, signed into law new congressional maps that would, as before, give Democrats all nine of the state’s House seats—despite the fact that roughly a third of the electorate votes Republican. That is, although they constitute one-third of voters, Massachusetts Republicans would continue to have no representation of their choosing in Congress.

Why didn’t Governor Baker veto such obviously unfair maps?

As it happens, the Massachusetts district plan was indeed biased—but in favor of Republicans. According to PlanScore, a nonprofit that evaluates redistricting plans, in a hypothetically tied 50-50 election, the GOP would win 58 percent of the seats. Democratic lawmakers in the commonwealth had, in fact, drawn somewhat skewed maps, but to the benefit of the other party. The advantage notwithstanding, Republicans would remain locked out.
...
Across the country, nonproportional results are pervasive. Arkansas’s four House seats are red, despite Democrats receiving a third of the statewide vote. Seven of Maryland’s eight seats are blue, despite a third of the electorate voting red. In Oklahoma, the five-seat delegation is red, despite a third of the electorate voting blue. Chalking distorted results up to gerrymandering typically isn’t sufficient. In Massachusetts, no amount of creative line-drawing would change the outcome. Even in states with independent redistricting commissions, the problem persists. In California, for instance, which has all but eliminated partisan gerrymandering, Democrats routinely get more seats than their share of the statewide vote would seem to merit.

[UNI88]

Redistricting Report Card

The Gerrymandering Project does nonpartisan analysis to understand and eliminate partisan gerrymandering at a state-by-state level.
The Supreme Court acknowledged the validity of our math but declined to act. Looking ahead, the strongest route to reform is at a state-by-state level — a federalist approach.

Our interdisciplinary team aims to give activists and legislators the tools they need to detect offenses and craft bulletproof, bipartisan reform. Our analysis is published widely, and our work is used by legislators and reformers of all communities, without regard to partisan affiliation.

Who has the partisan advantage of the D/F grades is interesting ...

Republican partisan advantage:
- Florida
- Georgia
- Kansas
- North Carolina
- Ohio
- Texas
- Wisconsin

Democrats partisan advantage
- Illinois
- Nevada
- New Mexico
- Oregon
- South Carolina
- Utah

None partisan advantage
- Louisiana
- Tennessee

[BDKJMU]

Holy gerrymander Batman. The most gerrymandered Congressional district in the country?

[UNI88]

Holy gerrymander Batman. The most gerrymandered Congressional district in the country?

Why is Salt Lake City split into 4 parts? Why is Nashville split into 3? Why is Jacksonville, floridastan broken up?

Saying they're "finally playing the Democrats game" is bullshit? Republicans have been playing this game for as long as Democrats.

[BDKJMU]

Holy gerrymander Batman. The most gerrymandered Congressional district in the country?

Why is Salt Lake City split into 4 parts? Why is Nashville split into 3? Why is Jacksonville, floridastan broken up?

Saying they're "finally playing the Democrats game" is bullshit? Republicans have been playing this game for as long as Democrats.

Do those districts look as absurd as that MD one?

[UNI88]

Why is Salt Lake City split into 4 parts? Why is Nashville split into 3? Why is Jacksonville, floridastan broken up?

Saying they're "finally playing the Democrats game" is bullshit? Republicans have been playing this game for as long as Democrats.

Do those districts look as absurd as that MD one?

Mr. BDKnitpicker, whether they look absurb or not is irrelevant to the bullshit statement that Republicans are "finally playing the Democrats game". A district doesn't have to look absurd to be gerrymandered. Republicans have been engaging in gerrymandering for political gain for a long time and are not victims of Democrat

[Bobcat]

I love that we are playing by their rules, if only we would step up our violence game. Then Kkkalm and mGR88 wouldnt know who to like and support