Oleg Bulakh

“For most of American history, gerrymandering was a behind-the-scenes affair, taking place in the quintessential ‘smoke-filled rooms‘ where political heavyweights carved up the country to best suit their own fortunes. Voters remained largely in the dark,” the New York Times reports.

“That has changed in a remarkable way over the past year.”

“The bare-knuckle fight over redistricting between Democrats and Republicans, started last year by President Trump and the G.O.P. in Texas, has made gerrymandering a top national story that is set to play an important role in the midterm elections.”

“And in two states — California last year and Virginia tomorrow — voters have been given a rare opportunity to decide their own gerrymandered fate.”

Johan Egerkrans