A recent Marquette Law School poll reveals a significant disapproval among Americans regarding mid-decade redistricting, transcending party lines.
The survey, released on Wednesday, indicates that 71% of respondents are against states redrawing their congressional districts mid-decade, a slight increase from 70% in September. Only 28% of those surveyed expressed support for such measures. Notably, the opposition among Republicans has grown, while Democratic opposition has seen a decline.
According to the Daily Caller, the poll highlights a shift in Republican sentiment, with 70% now opposing mid-decade redistricting, an increase from 62% in September. Conversely, the percentage of Democrats opposing the practice has decreased from 80% to 73%.
Among Democrats surveyed, 27% approved of mid-decade redistricting. The survey also found that 68% of independents are against states redrawing their congressional maps mid-decade, while 31% view it favorably.
In a significant legal development, a three-judge federal panel recently ruled against Texas using its newly redrawn Republican-backed congressional map. This decision represents a setback for the GOP, as Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott had signed the map into law in August, aiming to secure up to five additional House seats for the party in the 2026 midterm elections.
Meanwhile, California voters have approved Proposition 50, a gerrymandering measure spearheaded by Democratic California Governor Gavin Newsom. This initiative seeks to add up to five Democratic seats in the state.
However, the Department of Justice has announced a lawsuit against Newsom and California Secretary of State Shirley Weber over the newly adopted congressional map. Newsom's move was seen as a counteraction to Texas' mid-decade redistricting efforts.
Attorney General Pam Bondi has criticized Newsom's Proposition 50, describing it as a "redistricting power grab" in a post on X dated November 13. The legal battles in both Texas and California underscore the contentious nature of redistricting and its implications for political power dynamics.
The Marquette Law School Poll, conducted from November 5-12, surveyed 1,052 U.S. adults, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.3 percentage points. Among the respondents, 903 were registered voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 3.5 percentage points, and 602 were likely voters, with a margin of error of plus or minus 4.3 percentage points.
The ongoing debates and legal challenges surrounding redistricting highlight the critical role it plays in shaping the political landscape. As states navigate these complex issues, the balance of power in Congress remains a focal point of contention. The outcomes of these legal proceedings and public opinion will undoubtedly influence future redistricting efforts and the broader political arena.
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