Thirty years ago, Republicans were at the forefront of the fight to end gerrymandering, with notable proponents including President George H.W. Bush and Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY). While present-day Senate Republicans have abandoned this position, their proposals are now at the core of the redistricting reforms in the Freedom to Vote Act. Michael Li presents the history of this effort, what brought it to a halt, and what modern anti-gerrymandering advocates and policymakers can learn from it. “These ideas for fixing a broken redistricting process were smart three decades ago when Republicans were the ones proposing them. They are no less smart today,” he writes. Read more

In September, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed an undemocratic and unlawful voting bill that suppresses the vote of vulnerable communities and discourages people from becoming election workers or volunteers. Pastor Danielle Ayers, a plaintiff in the Brennan Center’s lawsuit challenging the law, reminds us of the stakes of this fight and explains why Friendship-West Baptist Church couldn’t stand aside on this issue. “We all deserve a voice in how we’re governed. Still, many of those who govern us think otherwise. And it is our God-given right to fight for unencumbered access to the ballot and freedom to live in a democracy free of intimidation and unjust laws,” she writes. Read more

Police usage of military-grade equipment and tactics, especially in response to protests, is a cause for concern to many. While departments argue these methods are necessary in modern policing, Sahil Singhvi and Indu Pandey make the case that instead of relying on equipment built for war, police should make meaningful changes to how they interact with civilians. “Along with tanks and night-vision goggles, American police [have] adopted the mentality of the military, down to the idea that the residents of the communities where officers patrol are enemy combatants to be met with force,” they write. READ MORE

In today’s deeply divided politics, the idea of successfully passing a constitutional amendment may seem like a pipe dream to most. John Kowal and Wilfred Codrington III, authors of The People’s Constitution, discuss a crucial historical trend relating to constitutional amendments: not only do they come in waves after long periods without any amendments, they are typically preceded by times of political polarization and gridlock. “While today’s partisan rancor and gridlock may currently thwart important national reforms, they may also signal the coming of a new era of constitutional change that could kick-start our country’s journey toward ‘a more perfect Union,’” they write. POLITICO

Following the passing of Colin Powell, the first Black chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and first Black secretary of state, mourning has been accompanied by questions of what to make of his legacy. Ted Johnson shares a thoughtful obituary for the former statesman, remembering his view of Powell coming up as a young Black naval officer and intelligence officer in the 1990s, and contemplating his later career, characterized by difficult choices. “We should take inspiration from Mr. Powell’s accomplishments and commitment to the nation’s ideals, understand that life often forces us to choose between doing the right thing and the expedient thing for the right reasons, and be ever reminded of the role race plays in our society, even for its citizen exemplars. In doing this, we can ensure his memory holds meaning for generations of Americans to come,” he writes. NEW YORK TIMES

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• Michael Li on gerrymandering’s impact on communities of color // CNN
• Yurij Rudensky on racial gerrymandering in Texas // TEXAS TRIBUNE
• Michael Waldman on the Freedom to Vote Act // SALON
• Dan Weiner on the Big Lie and democracy reform legislation // ROLLING STONE
• Wendy Weiser on the fight for voting rights // RADIO TIMES