Redistricting Wars

It may soon be easier to list which states are not in a redistricting debate rather than those that are after a new avenue for re-drawing congressional district maps opened this week. The new branch in this debate stems from a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that immediately enforces a narrower application of the Voting Rights Act and allows Louisiana to redraw its congressional map ahead of the midterm elections. The ruling opens the way for several additional states to attempt to redraw their maps based on the new criteria for the Act.

There was already a long list of states engaged in redistricting efforts as Democrats and Republicans each seek a political edge in the race for control of the U.S. House of Representatives. This ruling will likely expand that list significantly. 

Analysis and eternal perspective: Just six months from the midterm elections, it appears congressional maps are moving further from being finalized rather than closer. As we’ve previously discussed, it is typical for states to redistrict once a decade after each census, but the current wave is growing as both parties seek every partisan edge possible. Unless there is a more comprehensive change in the law, this is likely to set new precedent, and voters should expect a never-ending stream of redistricting wars.

As a voter, congressional maps impact you by dictating where you vote, the candidates on your ballot, and ultimately how you are represented in the federal government.

However, as a Jesus follower, the location of a temporary political line drawn by men has no impact on your mission field. Jesus bade you go into all the world to draw others to His side. There is no congressional line, state line, or national border that supersedes your mission!

One word of caution as you observe ongoing coverage and commentary of these redistricting wars. There is a very legitimate debate about what is and is not permitted under both federal and state law, but an overwhelming amount of the coverage really boils down to a red state vs. blue state conversation. When you see that type of analysis, where every state on one side of the partisan divide is defended while every state on the other side is castigated, be extremely wary. States have wide—but not complete—latitude to redistrict, even for partisan reasons. Coverage that defends one party and attacks the other is not analysis at all, but advocacy, and you should proceed accordingly.