Virginia Gerrymandering
Former president Barack Obama claims that “Republican-controlled states have redrawn their congressional maps to give themselves an unfair advantage in the midterm elections,” and “Virginia has a chance to help level the playing field.”
IN FACT, the Republican maps level the playing field, while the Democrat maps tilt it even more in their favor. Here are the specifics:
- In the 2024 elections, Democrats won 49.4% of U.S. House seats while receiving 47.8% of the votes for U.S. House members. This is a 1.6-point gap, which equates to an additional 7 House seats.
- In the 2024 elections, Republicans won 50.6% of U.S. House seats while receiving 50.6% of the votes for U.S. House members. This is a 0.0-point gap.
- Before California recently redrew its map, 83% of California’s U.S. House seats were held by Democrats, while 58% of the state voted for Kamala Harris. This was a 25-point gap.
- Before Texas recently redrew its map, 66% of Texas’ U.S. House seats were held by Republicans, while 56% of the state voted for Trump. This 10-point gap was 15 points lower than California’s.
- Under California’s new map, 92% of California’s seats will likely be held by Democrats, while 58% of the state voted for Kamala Harris. This is a 34-point gap.
- Under Texas’ new map, 79% of Texas’ seats will likely be held by Republicans, while 56% of the state voted for Trump. This 23-point gap is 11 points lower than California’s likely gap, 4 points lower than the current gap in Illinois, and 16 points lower than the current gap in Massachusetts.
- If Virginia’s proposed map is passed in accord with Obama’s wishes, 91% of Virginia’s seats will likely be held by Democrats, while 52% of the state voted for Kamala Harris. This 39-point gap is 16 points higher than the likely gap in Texas.
The U.S. House of Representatives is called the “People’s House” and is supposed to be “especially responsive to popular will.” James Madison, the Father of the Constitution, wrote that the House “should have an immediate dependence on, and an intimate sympathy with, the people.”
