The ‘correct’ solution to the redistricting mess is to adopt electoral reform, such as that proposed in H.R. 4632 (Fair Representation Act). This act splits states into 3-5 member districts, elected using proportional representation. It also prohibits gerrymandering, but the practical effect of using proportional representation already makes gerrymandering significantly harder to do.

Both Democratic and Republican partisans on both sides hate such reforms (Gavin Newsom has been no ally to these reforms) as it removes levers of power, whether that power is used to accomplish bareknuckle political benefit like gerrymandering, or social goals considered ‘acceptable’. I fear there is little chance of such common sense reform passing in the current climate, but it remains the north star we should be striving for.

I fear I don’t see a way I can get to supporting the California mid-year redistricting push. The argument seems to be that since Texas Democrats are disenfranchised, we should disenfranchise Republicans here. Is there some delusion that California Democrats will speak for those Texas Democrats, and Texas Republicans will stand up for the California Republicans? I admit this is hard, as the White House has been abusing every discretion it is permitted, but I cannot see how this will result in anything but a temporary pushback, in return for making California complicit in the degradation of our republic.

Electoral Reform is the only way we solve the redistricting mess. I fear H.R. 4632 may be too Democrat leaning to pass, but remember Alaska adopted Ranked Choice back in 2020, so there can be a version of this acceptable to people on both sides of the aisle. We should push for such electoral reform, particularly multi-member, single transferrable vote districts, to permanently solve this issue.