California’s gerrymandering measure would move the nation backwards

‘If California unwinds the most successful example of reform for partisan purposes, well, it moves the nation farther away from any real solution.’ Photograph: Frederic J Brown/AFP/Getty Images

Let’s imagine it’s early 2031. Democrats hold a three-seat edge in the US House. California has just lost four seats to congressional reapportionment. Texas has gained four.

Reapportionment has not gone well for Democrats. In addition to the four from the Golden state, New York has lost two seats. Minnesota, Rhode Island, Pennsylvania, Michigan and Illinois each lost one. Blue states surrendered those seats – and electoral college votes – to red states where the Republican party draws the lines: Florida, Utah, Idaho, Georgia, North Carolina and Texas.