Fact check: What states have the worst gerrymandered districts?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, several states consistently emerge as having the worst gerrymandered districts:

Texas and Florida are repeatedly identified as having the most egregious examples of gerrymandering ^[1]. Texas is specifically highlighted for its proposed redistricting map that would add three new districts favoring Donald Trump in 2024 ^[2]. The state's gerrymandering efforts are expected to significantly impact the 2026 midterms ^[3].

Illinois stands out as the primary example of Democratic gerrymandering, with sources noting that despite being a Democratic-majority state, it has created maps that heavily skew districts in their favor ^[1].

A comprehensive list reveals additional states with severe gerrymandering issues, including Utah, Tennessee, North Carolina, Ohio, Indiana, and Nevada ^[4]. These states employ various gerrymandering techniques such as "cracking" (splitting opposition voters across multiple districts) and "packing" (concentrating opposition voters into fewer districts).

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal important context about the broader gerrymandering landscape:

Partisan asymmetry exists - while both parties engage in gerrymandering, Republicans appear to benefit more from the practice and have been "more ruthless" in implementing it ^[2]. This suggests the impact is not equally distributed between parties.

Legal framework changes have enabled increased gerrymandering. The Supreme Court's 2019 ruling established that federal courts cannot intervene in partisan gerrymandering cases, giving states "increasingly unfettered power in redistricting" ^[5]. This ruling in Rucho v. Common Cause has particularly impacted states like Texas ^[6].

Historical evolution shows that gerrymandering has become more sophisticated and impactful over time, with the Supreme Court's approach evolving to allow more aggressive redistricting practices ^[7].

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation, as it simply asks for factual information about gerrymandered districts. However, the framing could potentially lead to incomplete understanding:

The question focuses solely on identifying "worst" states without acknowledging the systemic nature of the problem - gerrymandering occurs across the political spectrum, though with varying intensity and effectiveness ^{[2] [8]}.

The question doesn't address the legal and institutional factors that enable gerrymandering, such as the Supreme Court's decision to remove federal oversight, which has been crucial in allowing states like Texas to pursue more aggressive redistricting ^{[5] [6]}.

Without this context, readers might assume gerrymandering is simply a matter of individual state choices rather than understanding it as a systemic issue enabled by specific legal precedents and institutional frameworks.