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Fact check: Times the Democratic Party gerrymandered in any state

Checked on August 7, 2025

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is limited specific evidence of Democratic Party gerrymandering instances, though the sources acknowledge that both parties engage in this practice. The most concrete examples identified include:

  • Illinois is mentioned as a state where Democrats have engaged in gerrymandering [1] [2]
  • Massachusetts is cited by Trump as another example of Democratic gerrymandering [1]
  • California presents a complex case - while Governor Gavin Newsom has threatened retaliatory gerrymandering against Texas's proposed redistricting [3], California actually uses a nonpartisan commission to draw congressional maps, meaning Democrats have "handed away their power to gerrymander" there [2]
  • New York is mentioned as a state where Democrats are considering retaliatory gerrymandering in response to Republican efforts in Texas [4]

The sources consistently note that gerrymandering is a bipartisan practice, with both Republicans and Democrats engaging in it when they have the opportunity [5] [2].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original query lacks several important contextual elements:

  • Historical scope: The sources don't provide a comprehensive historical timeline of Democratic gerrymandering instances, making it difficult to assess the full extent of the practice over time
  • Comparative analysis: While the sources mention that "some Democratic-led states draw severely gerrymandered districts" [5], there's no detailed comparison between Republican and Democratic gerrymandering efforts
  • Legal constraints: The analyses reveal that some states have implemented reforms to limit partisan gerrymandering through "non-partisan or bi-partisan commissions" [6], but don't specify which party-controlled states have adopted these measures
  • Current vs. historical practices: The sources focus heavily on recent retaliatory threats rather than established patterns of Democratic gerrymandering

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement appears to be seeking specific instances but may be framed in a way that assumes widespread Democratic gerrymandering without acknowledging the broader context. Key concerns include:

  • Lack of specificity: The query doesn't distinguish between historical gerrymandering, current practices, or threatened future actions
  • Missing bipartisan context: The framing doesn't acknowledge that gerrymandering is practiced by both parties, which could lead to a one-sided understanding of the issue
  • Oversimplification: The sources indicate that the gerrymandering landscape is complex, with some Democratic-controlled states actually implementing reforms to reduce partisan redistricting [2], while others engage in or threaten the practice

The evidence suggests that while Democrats have engaged in gerrymandering in states like Illinois, the practice is not unique to either party, and some Democratic-led states have actually moved away from partisan redistricting through institutional reforms.

Want to dive deeper?
What states have been accused of gerrymandering by the Democratic Party in the 2020 redistricting cycle?
How does the Democratic Party's gerrymandering compare to that of the Republican Party in recent years?
What are some notable examples of Democratic Party gerrymandering in the 2010s?
Can the Democratic Party's gerrymandering be considered a form of voter suppression?
How have court rulings impacted Democratic Party gerrymandering efforts in states like Maryland and North Carolina?