To the editor: Voter registration data have persistently proven in recent times that the group of Individuals falling into the impartial or decline-to-state-party classes continues to develop. In keeping with a current Gallup ballot, neither of our two “main” political events signify even a 3rd of voters. However this stark reality, the Republicans and Democrats have maintained their vice-like grips on our nation’s politics as a consequence of quite a few monetary and different components, not least of which is the flexibility to keep up “secure” voting districts that be certain that considered one of these two events will persistently prevail in a selected district (“South Carolina joins Southern redistricting push after U.S. Supreme Court docket ruling on minority districts,” Could 6).
It’s thus not stunning that some degree of voter district gerrymandering has been a constant function of American politics. However we’ve seen an enhanced degree of deliberate “redistricting” for political benefit this previous 12 months, beginning with President Trump’s route to Texas Republicans, resulting in Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Proposition 50 retort and now the much more over-the-top efforts in Virginia and different states. It should be seen for what it’s: a direct affront to our democracy geared toward silencing the voices of quite a few voters. Sufficient is sufficient, and it’s time that just a few, true leaders on either side of the political divide emerge to say so.
Russ Swartz, Granada Hills
..
To the editor: So let me get this straight. The Supreme Court docket dominated that race can’t be used to redistrict a state’s electoral map. Nevertheless, race can be utilized to take away or break up up districts.
Race is clearly getting used as standards to create states with fewer or no majority-Black districts — Tennessee, Louisiana, Alabama, South Carolina, Florida, North Carolina and Texas, to call just a few. Will we see a sample right here?
Dianne Gorsey, Sherman Oaks
..
To the editor: Goodbye, racial gerrymandering. Hey unrestricted Democratic and Republican Social gathering gerrymandering (“California underneath stress — once more — as partisan redistricting wars escalate,” Could 7). Gerrymandering of both selection is a failure of democracy. America must be ashamed of itself.
Incumbency already has extra energy than it deserves to just about assure reelection. Partisan gerrymandering is incumbency set in stone, and it disenfranchises impartial voters.
California’s gerrymandering is already so closely skewed towards the Democratic Social gathering. Almost 1 / 4 of California’s voters who don’t affiliate with both main get together are unlikely to ever be capable of vote for his or her first alternative of a candidate.
Janet Weaver, Huntington Seashore
..
To the editor: Tennessee has drawn new district maps to remove its one Democratic and Black-dominated district (“Tennessee lawmakers cross U.S. Home map carving up majority-Black district in Memphis,” Could 7). This splits Memphis, a majority-Black metropolis, into three districts. One encompasses a swath of geography that extends midway throughout the state. The lone Black legislator within the state will likely be gerrymandered out of workplace.
This exhibits how flawed the Supreme Court docket choice to desecrate the Voting Rights Act was. It’s time to reform the un-Supreme Court docket, or junk it.
Thomas Oatway, Valencia
