A Chance to Highlight Redistricting Reform
By Stephen Steigleder
Posted on Mon Jul 10, 2006 at 09:06:43 AM EST
The Supreme Court's decision to uphold Tom Delay's gerrymandering of Texas is a window of opportunity for reformers.
The case, League of United Latin American Citizens v. Perry, has brought exposure that money simply can't buy. Nonpartisan organizations finally have an audience for their message that self-serving redistricting plans inflict irreparable harm on our political system. An effective national campaign could ignite a backlash of legislation from states that want to avoid the bitter partisan battle witnessed in Texas.
There is recent precedent for a state backlash. Last year, in Kelo v. City of New London, the Supreme Court declared that local governments had the right to seize private property for economic development. The national outcry resulted in state legislatures specifically banning the use of eminent domain for economic purposes.
Congressional district boundaries are too important to be politicized. Allowing elected officials--with a vested interest in the outcome--to choose their constituents is a direct reversal of American values. Federal and state politicians should not play a role in the process. In addition, gerrymandered districts tend to elect more extreme representatives that polarize the political process. The establishment of "safe" congressional seats reduces the incentive to compromise--typified by our current "Do Nothing" Congress.
A wave of partisan gerrymanders, in time for the 2008 presidential election, is our best hope for removing partisanship from the redistricting process. Responsible citizens would recoil at the hijacking of our democracy. Grassroots pressure, assisted by a coalition of nonpartisan reform groups, would force state legislatures to enact independent commissions to draw neutral boundaries.
Sometimes a situation has to get worse before it gets better.
Tags: Redistricting, Texas, election reform (all tags)
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