Why don't Democrats gerrymander the hell out of California

[Proud liberal 80]

And get rid of people like Nunez and McCarthy? Now my question is rhetorical because I know they have some type of bipartisan redistricting commission, and truth be told that is what is needed in all states. But the blue states can’t play fair while republicans in red and purple states are stacking the deck in their favor.

[roamer65]

1. California has an independent redistricting commission.

We modeled ours in Michigan after California’s.

[Proud liberal 80]

2. Which I like

If all states used it across the board

[Grins]

3. It's on the ballot in Virginia!

[11 Bravo]

7. Yeah, but the proposition in VA would allow just two Republicans ...

on the committee to throw any decision into the state Supreme Court, which has a Republican majority.
I voted against Prop 1.

[mucifer]

4. We did gerrymander the ef out of Chicago this is my ward I kid you not:

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I lost my amazing alderman Scott Waguspack a few years ago.

Chicago is pretty corrupt.

[Ferrets are Cool]

5. I don't know and I am just speaking with emotion, but maybe because

"we" believe in free and fair elections?

[Retrograde]

6. Because we spent years un-gerrymandering it not long ago

California passed a ballot initiative to form a citizen's committee to draw districts, defended it against several Republican challenges, and got it to work pretty well. And it did give the Democrats large majorities in the Assembly and State Senate, not to mention the House delegation. If the voters in Republican-leaning congressional districts persist in voting for the likes of Nunes and McCarthy - well, that's their right to act against their own interests.

[Silent3]

8. Democrats should push for the end of all gerrymandering instead

I’m not sure if this can be managed by normal law, of if it would require a Constitutional change, but we need it.

The trade-off of a few of our safe seats would be well worth it. And besides, it’s the right thing to do. Voters should pick their representatives, it shouldn’t be politicians picking their voters.

For the safety of our country after Trump, we must get rid of the rabid extremism that safe seats have enabled and encouraged among Republicans, where winning a primary has become a contest about who can motivate the craziest of the base, who are the biggest factor in the primaries. After the base gets the Republican who foams at the mouth enough to satisfy them, the (R) after their name practically ensures victory over any Democrat.

If we had more Republicans who had to face competitive races, far fewer insane and/or maximally craven Representatives and Senators would reach Congress, and then there’s a much better chance of proper checks and balances being restored.

[gab13by13]

9. Too bad all states don't follow California's system.

[not_the_one]

10. The way to end gerrymandering is to gain control of the state legislatures (and govs), THEN

pass legislation that ensures, forever, reasonable district boundaries.

The Supreme Court has already said that elections are to be left to the states, and they will NOT intervene. That means that even if it is for the purpose of manipulating elections, the SC will not take a stand. It must be addressed IN the state legislatures.

Maybe with this election, so many will be sick of ALL republican attempts to steal and cheat, that down ballot democrats will also win back state legislatures. THEN we do what is right, and guarantee it for the future, rather than turn around and use it in OUR favor.

After all, WE aren't the cheaters, here.