Friend,

Do you know how the term “gerrymandering” came about? Elbridge Gerry was a founding father and a vice president under James Madison. He also served as governor of Massachusetts, where in 1812 he created this behemoth of a district to protect his party's seat in the Boston area:

Some said the district looked like a salamander from mythology, and the term “gerrymander” was born.

Why am I telling you this? Because today is Elbridge Gerry’s birthday -- and mine! And as a two-for-one birthday gift, I’d love it if you could make a donation to the NDRC to help us end the practice Gerry gave his name to.

Old Elbridge couldn’t have predicted what a huge problem gerrymandering would become. When you have Republicans winning 1.4 million fewer U.S. House votes but ending up with a 33-seat majority, as they did in 2012, that’s just plain anti-democratic -- the antithesis of what America is supposed to be about.

2020 is our last chance to turn things around before redistricting begins next year. But with Republicans currently in control of populous states like Texas, Georgia, and North Carolina, it’s going to be an uphill battle.

So I’m asking, friend: Will you help me celebrate my birthday -- and the birthday of the founder of gerrymandering -- by donating to the NDRC today?

Thanks,
Ben