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Fact check: What states have Democratic-majority legislatures that have been accused of gerrymandering since 2022?
1. Summary of the results
Based on the analyses provided, several Democratic-majority states have been accused of gerrymandering since 2022:
- Illinois emerges as the most frequently cited example, receiving an F grade from the Gerrymander Project for its redistricting map containing non-compact districts and many county splits [1]. The state has been described as using gerrymandering to skew districts in Democrats' favor as part of an "endless cycle of gerrymandering" [1].
- California has been implicated through Governor Gavin Newsom's proposal to redraw the state's congressional map to gain 5 additional Democratic seats in response to Texas' redistricting efforts [2] [3]. This represents a planned gerrymandering effort rather than a completed one.
- Massachusetts and New Jersey are mentioned as Democratic-majority states that have "gerrymandered Republicans out of existence" [3].
- Maryland is referenced as a potential location where Democrats could add "possibly one more seat" through redistricting efforts [4].
2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints
The analyses reveal important context missing from the original question:
- Gerrymandering is fundamentally bipartisan - while the question focuses solely on Democratic states, the sources emphasize that "gerrymandering is a bipartisan issue" with both parties engaging in the practice [1]. Republican-majority states have also been extensively accused of gerrymandering.
- Retaliatory nature of recent efforts - Much of the Democratic gerrymandering activity appears to be reactive to Republican efforts, particularly Texas' redistricting plans. California's proposed actions are explicitly framed as a "rebuttal" to Texas [2].
- Scale and historical context - Democratic strategist Julian Epstein acknowledged that Democrats "don't have clean hands" on gerrymandering, noting that blue states have created "oddly-drawn districts that limit GOP representation" [3].
- Institutional solutions needed - Experts warn that the problem requires Congressional legislation to solve, suggesting that focusing on one party's actions misses the systemic nature of the issue [1].
3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement
The original question, while factually answerable, contains potential bias through:
- Selective framing - By asking only about Democratic states, it implies that gerrymandering is primarily a Democratic problem, when the analyses clearly show it's a bipartisan practice [1].
- Temporal limitation - The "since 2022" timeframe may artificially narrow the scope, potentially missing the broader historical context of gerrymandering by both parties.
- Omission of comparative context - The question doesn't acknowledge that Republican states have also been accused of gerrymandering during the same period, creating an incomplete picture of the redistricting landscape.
The question itself isn't factually incorrect, but its framing could benefit political actors who want to portray gerrymandering as primarily a Democratic issue, when the evidence shows both parties engage in the practice strategically.