End Gerrymandering - Fair Maps Act

The Problem

Politicians are choosing their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians. Extreme partisan gerrymandering has created safe districts where general elections are predetermined, eliminating competitive races and accountability. This undermines the foundation of representative democracy.

Our Solution

Pass the Fair Maps Act to:

• Require all states to use independent redistricting commissions
• Mandate transparent, public redistricting processes
• Establish clear criteria: compactness, contiguity, community preservation
• Ban use of partisan data and election results in map-drawing
• Create federal standards and judicial review for extreme partisan gerrymandering
• Ensure minority voting rights are protected

The Strategy

Support passage of federal anti-gerrymandering legislation:

1. Litigation support - Back state-level court challenges to partisan maps
2. State ballot initiatives - Support independent commissions via direct democracy
3. Federal legislation - Lobby for inclusion in voting rights legislation
4. Media campaigns - Expose egregious examples of gerrymandering
5. Cross-partisan coalition - Unite voters frustrated by uncompetitive districts

The Evidence

• 7 states use independent commissions and have more competitive elections
• In 2022, only 45 of 435 House races were competitive (10%)
• Gerrymandering affects both parties but undermines all voters
• Courts have struck down extreme partisan gerrymanders in multiple states
• Independent commissions increase public trust in elections

Funding Allocation

• 35% - Direct lobbying and legislation support
• 30% - State ballot initiative campaigns
• 25% - Litigation support for court challenges
• 10% - Platform operations and transparency

Public Support

• 61% of Americans support independent redistricting commissions
• Support crosses party lines (71% Democrats, 61% Independents, 46% Republicans)
• Higher support when voters see their own district's gerrymandering

Timeline

• Immediate: Support ongoing litigation and 2025 ballot initiatives
• Year 1: Launch campaigns in 5-7 target states
• Year 2: Push for federal legislation
• 2030-2031: Prepare for next redistricting cycle with reforms in place

Democracy works best when voters choose their representatives, not the other way around.