Ask any sensible person about gerrymandering: the universal answer is that of course it’s politics at its worse and no one should be in favor of it.

So… What are we missing?

Texas just “redistricted” to create 5 more Republican seats in the 2026 elections. These districts will minimize the votes of political — and racial — minorities in the polarized state.

And in response, Gavin Newsom is leading a very vocal charge to “retaliate” by calling for a special election in November to redistrict California in a way that will create 5 more Democratic seats. So much for the “tit for tat” attitude we initially laid to rest in grade school…

Further, California has the most Congressional representatives in the US: 52 in total. Of that number, 43, or 83%, are Democrats. Yet in 2024, Trump won 38% of California’s popular vote. Similarly, in Texas, 65% of Congressional representatives are Republican, while Harris won 42% of the popular vote.

The evidence points to gerrymandering in both blue and red states.

What Should Californians Do?

I don’t clearly identify with any political party right now. I want to try to help solve issues that I believe undermine basic human rights. Yet, if Governor Newsom is successful in redistricting California, I cannot fathom the outcome being a good one. (Texas has fewer electoral votes than California anyways…)

Not that it’s not important to maintain a balance between the two parties. But parties turning their backs on the democratic process and constitutional laws that have guided our country for centuries, only to preserve their own place in a two-man race without a finish line, could never be considered a good thing.

No amount of political power should ever be worth minimizing the voices of real voters and allowing party elites to dictate how our government will move forward.

Let’s resist getting swept into furthering our current polarized political atmosphere.