Fact check: Did democrats vote against gerrymandering to be a law

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, there is no direct evidence that Democrats voted against gerrymandering to be a law. The sources consistently show that while Democrats have opposed gerrymandering practices, this opposition has primarily manifested through procedural tactics rather than formal votes against anti-gerrymandering legislation.

The most prominent example comes from Texas, where Democratic lawmakers fled the state to prevent the Republican-led Legislature from redrawing congressional districts ^{[1] [2]}. This represents opposition to gerrymandering through blocking quorum rather than voting against anti-gerrymandering measures. Additionally, Democrats in California and other states have threatened countermeasures in response to Texas Republicans' redistricting plans ^[3].

Interestingly, the sources reveal that some states with Democratic majorities, like Illinois, have responded to Republican gerrymandering by creating their own maps that skew districts in their favor ^[4], suggesting a more complex relationship with the practice than simple opposition.

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The original question lacks crucial context about the distinction between opposing gerrymandering and voting against anti-gerrymandering legislation. The analyses show that some states have taken actions to rein in partisanship in redistricting ^[4], but don't specify which parties supported or opposed these measures.

A significant missing perspective is that both parties engage in gerrymandering when it benefits them. The sources indicate that while Democrats oppose Republican gerrymandering efforts, they also participate in the practice when they control redistricting processes ^[4]. This suggests that opposition to gerrymandering may be more tactical than principled.

The question also omits the Supreme Court's role in redistricting decisions, with sources mentioning that Supreme Court rulings have given states increasingly unfettered power in redistricting ^[3]. This legal framework affects how both parties approach redistricting.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question contains a misleading premise by suggesting that Democrats voted against making gerrymandering illegal, when the evidence shows the opposite pattern. The sources demonstrate that Democrats have actively opposed gerrymandering efforts by Republicans through various means ^{[1] [5] [2]}.

The question's framing could benefit Republican narratives by implying that Democrats support gerrymandering, when the evidence suggests they oppose it when practiced by Republicans while potentially engaging in it themselves when advantageous.

The binary framing of the question ignores the complex political reality where both parties' positions on gerrymandering appear to be influenced more by political advantage than consistent principle. This oversimplification could mislead readers about the true nature of partisan redistricting battles in American politics.