Redistricting is being weaponized by Trump and Red States, But Blue States Can Fight Back
What’s Happening?
Republicans want to rig Congress and give themselves permanent power. They’re getting ready to redraw congressional maps, again, to lock in control of the House, and they’re not being subtle about it. Texas Republicans (like Greg Abbott) are threatening to gerrymander their way to a permanent majority, and Donald Trump is publicly calling on them to do it.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has stated that if Texas moves forward, California will follow suit. That’s exactly what Democrats should be doing everywhere they hold power.
If Republicans gut fair maps, blue states can’t just sit back. We’re calling for something bold, clear, and urgent. In the words of our Co-Executive Director, Ezra Levin:
“There are 15 Democratic trifecta states — many of them with large congressional delegations like New York, California, Illinois, and New Jersey. [...] Indivisible is calling on every Democratic trifecta state to move forward with their own plans for a mid-decade redistricting plan. It’s time to fight fire with fire.”
Why Should Democrats Fight Back?
Because unilateral disarmament isn’t a strategy, it’s surrender.
Republicans aren’t being subtle. They’ve been clear about their plan since the 2022 midterms: redraw congressional maps to secure power, no matter how Americans vote. And they’ll do it in red states while counting on Democrats to play nice and not challenge them.
This isn’t just about Texas. It’s about the survival, or lack thereof, of our democracy.
If Abbott redraws Texas’s maps mid-decade and gets away with it, it will set off a nationwide domino effect. Other GOP-led states will follow. The result?
Wiped-out competitive districts in places like Texas, Florida, and Georgia
Cemented GOP control of the House through racially and politically rigged maps
Overrepresentation of white, rural voters, while silencing communities of color and progressive urban and suburban voters
That’s how we end up with a permanent right-wing House majority:
Even if a majority of Americans vote Democratic
Even if we flip the Senate
Even if we re-elect a Democratic president
Trump is already pressuring Texas to gerrymander again. SCOTUS is enabling it. And we’ve seen the damage already in states where extreme GOP maps have shut voters out.
What Governors & Legislatures Can Do
Review their state’s redistricting laws
In some states, such as Illinois and New Jersey, legislatures have direct power to draw maps. In others, like California and New York, they may need to override or reform independent commissions or constitutional rules.
Coordinate across chambers
Governors and legislatures need to work together proactively to draft legislation or ballot measures that enable responsive redistricting.
Make it clear that if Republicans Rig the system, Blue states will respond
Even before taking legislative action, governors and legislators need to make it clear that if Republicans redraw maps to rig the system, blue states will respond.
We’ve already seen some steps taken, such as Governor Gavin Newsom in California pledging to act if Texas does. Even Senator Elissa Slotkin, who's considered a more moderate number, stated, “If they’re going to go nuclear, then so am I.”
This is exactly the kind of energy we need from Democrats on all levels of government. We just need to make sure these words materialize into action.
To be clear, we’re not calling for Democrats to gerrymander first. We’re saying: don’t stand idle if it happens, and be prepared to act.
We’ve spent years trying to pass national gerrymandering bans. Republicans blocked them. Now they’re escalating, and we need our leaders to be prepared to respond. We’ll never get fair maps if Republicans have a permanent, gerrymandered majority.
What You Can Do
This is the moment to raise the alarm. If you live in a Democratic trifecta state, you have a unique opportunity and responsibility to pressure your elected officials to act now. Here’s how:
Contact your governor’s office and demand a public commitment: If Republicans gerrymander their maps, your governor must signal clearly that your state will be ready to respond. Ask for a public statement or executive support for responsive redistricting. You can use our script to make a call here or send an email here.
Contact your state legislators and urge them to start preparing now, especially if your legislature still has session time left. They should review redistricting laws and be prepared to pass legislation or ballot measures that enable mid-decade map adjustments if necessary. Convene a special session if necessary. You can use our script to make a call here or send an email here.
Push for coordinated action between governors and legislatures in Democratic trifectas. States like California, New York, Illinois, and New Jersey have power, and especially if they act together.
Tag your elected officials on social media and ask them directly: Will you be ready to fight back if Texas and/or other Republican states redraw their maps? Will you protect our democracy?
Reminder: You live in a Democratic trifecta if you live in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Rhode Island, or Washington.
