While recent discussions about the stability of American democracy have centered upon Russian meddling, the issue of gerrymandering presents an equally significant threat. By actively disenfranchising voters, officials in several states have undermined the very purpose of our electoral system.
In this regard, Washington can serve as a model for the rest of the country. By bringing a bipartisan approach to drawing congressional districts, state officials avoid the biased tactics that sow mistrust and enmity among voters in much of the country. All states should use bipartisan commissions or even computer modeling to draw congressional and legislative districts and live up to the ethos of “We the People.”
All too often, this is not the case. Washington is one of 22 states that does not give control of redistricting to the Legislature, meaning that in a majority of them the process is solely in the hands of the ruling party. That gives partisans the ability and incentive for entrenching power rather than working for the good of the public. As English historian John Dalbert-Acton is credited with saying, “Absolute power corrupts absolutely,” an axiom that has found proof in the drawing of election districts.
Recently, the Supreme Court in Pennsylvania ruled that the state’s congressional districts violate the constitution. Since a new map was drawn by legislative Republicans in 2011, each congressional election has resulted in 13 Republicans and five Democrats being elected to the House of Representatives. In 2012, Democrats won 51 percent of the statewide congressional vote, but only 28 percent of the House seats.
In ordering the Pennsylvania Legislature to redraw the districts, the court wrote that gerrymandering has “corrosive effects on our entire democratic process through the deliberate dilution of our citizenry’s individual votes.”
Pennsylvania is not alone, and a North Carolina court has deemed that state’s districts unconstitutional. When they were drawn, the legislator in charge said, “I think electing Republicans is better than electing Democrats. So I drew this map to help foster what I think is better for the country.” Such disdain for democracy is shameful and is reflective of the genuine threat facing the nation’s system of government. That system was outlined in the U.S. Constitution about 230 years ago and should not be undermined by strident partisanship on either side.
In Washington, redistricting is determined by a panel of four — one appointed by Democrats and one by Republicans in each chamber of the Legislature. This came into play when the state added a 10th district following the 2010 U.S. Census. A new district was carved out of the area around Olympia, taking a portion of the 3rd District that is represented by Rep. Jaime Herrera Beutler, R-Battle Ground.
A look at Washington’s congressional map reveals districts that are logically shaped, unlike the “tortuously drawn districts” the court found in Pennsylvania or the nonsensical districts found in other states. If a congressional district resembles a Rorschach test (see Maryland’s 3rd District), it clearly was drawn for the benefit of those in power at the expense of the public.
The U.S. Supreme Court has decisions pending regarding gerrymandering in Wisconsin and Maryland, and the issue is in the courts of several other states. But, ideally, more states will follow Washington and remove the process from their legislatures.
Gerrymandering is a threat to democracy that should not be ignored.
