The gerrymandering race is on

Answering Trump’s request, Texas legislators just decided to reshuffle their districts in hopes of gaining five more U.S. House seats in the 2026 election. In response, California Democrats are preparing to do the same.

This made me think of Wisconsin.Althoughvoters chose Democrats for most statewide offices— including governor, attorney general, and secretary of state—the Legislature tells a different story. Republicans hold a 54–45 majority in the Assembly and an 18–15 edge in the Senate. This discrepancy is a clear sign of gerrymandering.

Gov. Tony Evers created a nonpartisan committee to draft fair district maps based on the 2020 census. But the Republican-controlled Legislature ignored those maps and kept its own in place, ensuring its majorities. While the Wisconsin Supreme Court has ruled these maps unconstitutional, the U.S. Supreme Court has previously allowed partisan gerrymandering to stand. Now, with states like Texas and California escalating their district maneuvers, we may be entering a new phase of gerrymandering warfare. Each side will carve the map to its advantage, further eroding public trust.

Why should politicians be allowed to choose their voters instead of voters choosing their representatives? That seems deeply undemocratic—and dangerously fishy.

Chippewa Falls