[link removed] [[link removed]]
Formerly All On The Line
You’ve already established yourself as a dedicated member of this grassroots team — and we’re grateful for it. Not every American is as passionate about a functioning, fair democracy.
But how much do you know about gerrymandering trivia?
Test your knowledge with this quick pop quiz:
1. TRUE OR FALSE: Gerrymandering was named after one of our Founding Fathers.
(Don’t scroll down until you have your final answer.)
(Seriously, no cheating.)
TRUE: Elbridge Gerry, who signed the Declaration of Independence, went on to serve as governor of Massachusetts and signed new maps into law that benefited his political party.
His partisan allies were worried they’d lose power in the upcoming elections. So they decided to manipulate maps instead. (Sound familiar?)
The term “gerrymander” caught on as a portmanteau of his name and “salamander,” with one political cartoon showing how one of the oddly shaped districts looked like, well, a salamander.
2. TRUE OR FALSE: It's always illegal to redistrict a state solely to benefit one political party.
(You know the drill — only scroll when you’re ready.)
FALSE: It seems like it should be illegal, but the Supreme Court ruled in 2019 that without a law from Congress, federal courts can’t stop politicians from doing this based only on the Constitution. And just a few months ago, SCOTUS eliminated key protections that helped guarantee fair representation for voters of color — throwing fuel on the fire of our national redistricting crisis.
But it doesn’t have to stay this way. Our grassroots movement is fighting to pass legislation that would ban partisan and racial gerrymandering nationwide.
And, there’s hope in the meantime, too. Many states have their own rules banning partisan gerrymandering, even if Congress hasn’t caught up yet.
3. TRUE OR FALSE: Gerrymandering guarantees that whoever manipulates the maps gets to stay in power.
FALSE: Gerrymandering puts a major thumb on the scale, but voters can still overcome egregious map manipulation.
Just look at Wisconsin, which until recently had gerrymanders that might have even made Elbridge Gerry’s party blush.
At Redistricting Action, we kept fighting alongside Wisconsinites to deliver fair elections with fair maps. We kept mobilizing voters to speak out in grassroots advocacy and make their voices heard at the ballot box. And finally, a pro-democracy majority on the State Supreme Court overturned the Badger State’s legislative gerrymanders. Now both parties can compete on a level playing field.
But too many people in too many states are still denied a voice in their democracy because of map manipulation.
That's why Redistricting Action works every day to stop gerrymandering, empower voters, and strengthen access to the ballot — so the will of the people can prevail. If you’re proud to support that mission, make a donation now to power this work and let’s protect democracy. [[link removed]]
If you've saved your payment information with ActBlue Express, your donation will go through immediately:
DONATE $15 [[link removed]] DONATE $35 [[link removed]]
DONATE $50 [[link removed]] DONATE $100 [[link removed]]
DONATE $250 [[link removed]] Another Amount [[link removed]]
Thank you,
Redistricting Action HQhttps://www.facebook.com/redistrictingaction/ [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Donate [[link removed]]
Text FAIR to 88228 to receive recurring updates from Redistricting Action by automated text message. Text HELP for help, STOP to end. Msg & Data rates may apply. Privacy policy [[link removed]] and Terms of service [[link removed]] . Unsubscribe here. [[link removed]] PAID FOR BY THE NATIONAL REDISTRICTING ACTION FUND.
Contributions or gifts to The National Redistricting Action Fund are not tax deductible.
712 H St NE, Suite #25, Washington, DC, 20002
