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Fact check: What states have Democratic-majority legislatures that have been accused of gerrymandering since 1995

Checked on August 22, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, two Democratic-majority states have been specifically identified as engaging in gerrymandering practices since 1995:

  • California - Currently attempting to gerrymander its congressional districts to gain electoral advantage, with Governor Gavin Newsom's three-bill package aiming to place the gerrymander on a special election ballot [1]. California Democrats are also unveiling new congressional maps as countermeasures to Republican redistricting efforts [2].
  • Illinois - Cited as a prime example of a blue state that has used gerrymandering to its advantage [3], with experts noting that Illinois has a gerrymandered map that favors Democrats [4].

The legal landscape has evolved significantly since 1995, with key Supreme Court cases establishing precedents around racial gerrymandering. Miller v. Johnson [5] established that racial gerrymandering violates the Equal Protection Clause when race is the predominant factor [6], while Bush v. Vera [7] reinforced this precedent [8]. However, a 2019 Supreme Court ruling effectively allowed partisan gerrymandering by preventing federal courts from intervening, leading to continued aggressive redistricting by both parties [9].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question focuses solely on Democratic gerrymandering but omits crucial context about Republican gerrymandering practices. The analyses reveal that Texas, Florida, and North Carolina have heavily gerrymandered maps that favor Republicans [4], with Texas specifically conducting Republican-led redistricting efforts [10].

Experts warn that gerrymandering has become more egregious in recent years across both red and blue states [3], suggesting this is a bipartisan issue rather than one limited to Democratic-majority legislatures. The Freedom to Vote Act has been proposed as potential legislation to prohibit partisan gerrymandering entirely [4].

The analyses also reveal that gerrymandering has reshaped the political map for both parties, indicating that focusing exclusively on Democratic practices provides an incomplete picture of the redistricting landscape [3].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains inherent bias by focusing exclusively on Democratic-majority legislatures while ignoring Republican gerrymandering practices that are equally well-documented. This framing suggests that gerrymandering is primarily a Democratic problem, when the analyses clearly show it's a bipartisan practice that has become more aggressive across both parties [9] [3].

The question's timeframe of "since 1995" coincides with significant Supreme Court precedents on gerrymandering, but the 2019 ruling that effectively allowed partisan gerrymandering represents a crucial turning point that makes recent redistricting efforts by both parties more legally permissible [9].

By asking specifically about accusations against Democratic states while omitting Republican practices, the question creates a false impression that gerrymandering is asymmetrical, when the evidence shows both parties engage in these practices when they control state legislatures and redistricting processes.

Want to dive deeper?
Which states have seen the most significant changes in electoral maps since 1995?
How have gerrymandering accusations impacted Democratic-majority legislatures in the 2022 midterm elections?
What role has the Supreme Court played in gerrymandering cases involving Democratic-majority states since 1995?
Can you name the Democratic-majority states with the most gerrymandered districts according to 2020 census data?
How do gerrymandering laws differ between Democratic-majority and Republican-majority states?