The practice of gerrymandering, defined as the manipulation of electoral district boundaries with the intent of favoring or disadvantaging any political party or group, is hereby prohibited.

Electoral districts for the House of Representatives and for any other federal, state, or local legislative bodies shall be drawn in a manner that is impartial, non-discriminatory, and in accordance with geographically contiguous and compact criteria, while respecting natural boundaries and communities of interest as much as practicable.

An independent, non-partisan commission shall be established in each state to oversee the redistricting process. The composition, duties, and procedures of such commissions shall be as follows:

   a. **Independent Selection Committee**: An independent selection committee, composed of retired judges, non-partisan experts, and representatives from civil society organizations, shall oversee the appointment of commission members.

   b. **Balanced Representation**: Each commission shall include equal representation from multiple political parties, as well as independent or unaffiliated members, ensuring balanced interests and preventing dominance by any single group.

   c. **Transparency and Public Input**: The commission’s meetings, deliberations, and decisions shall be conducted transparently and open to public scrutiny. The commission shall allow for significant public input and feedback throughout the redistricting process.

   d. **Clear Criteria and Guidelines**: The commission shall adhere to clear, non-partisan criteria for drawing district boundaries, such as compactness, contiguity, respect for communities of interest, and compliance with the Voting Rights Act.

   e. **Judicial Oversight**: The commission’s redistricting plans shall be subject to judicial review to ensure compliance with constitutional and legal standards.

Congress shall have the power to enforce and implement this article by appropriate legislation, including the establishment of standards and oversight mechanisms, consistent with the provisions outlined in this amendment.

This amendment shall take effect immediately upon ratification and shall apply to the next redistricting cycle following such ratification.

All provisions of the Constitution or of the laws of the United States which are inconsistent with this amendment are hereby repealed.

Prohibition of Gerrymandering

• Manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor or disadvantage any party or group is banned.

Fair Redistricting

• Districts must be impartial
• Districts must be non-discriminatory
• Districts must be geographically contiguous and compact
• Districts must be respectful of natural boundaries and communities of interest

Independent Commission for Redistricting

• Each state must have an independent, non-partisan commission to handle redistricting.

Commission Structure and Process

Independent Selection Committee

• Composed of retired judges, non-partisan experts, and civil society representatives.
• Oversees the appointment of commission members.

Balanced Representation

• Equal representation from multiple political parties.
• Includes independent or unaffiliated members to ensure no single group dominates.

Transparency and Public Input

• Meetings and decisions are open to the public.
• Public input and feedback are encouraged throughout the process.

Clear Criteria and Guidelines

• Districts must be compact, contiguous, and respect communities of interest.
• Must comply with the Voting Rights Act.

Judicial Oversight

• Redistricting plans are subject to judicial review to ensure they meet legal standards.

Congressional Authority

• Congress can create laws and standards to enforce this amendment.

Immediate Implementation

• Takes effect immediately upon ratification and applies to the next redistricting cycle.

Repeal of Inconsistent Laws

Any laws or constitutional provisions that conflict with this amendment are repealed.

Gerrymandering is when politicians manipulate voting district maps to give their party an unfair advantage. Instead of voters choosing their representatives, politicians choose their voters.

The term comes from a Massachusetts governor, Elbridge Gerry, who in 1812 approved a district shaped like a salamander to benefit his party. A newspaper called it a “Gerry-mander,” and the name stuck.

Some forms of gerrymandering are legal, but others are not. Racial gerrymandering, which weakens the voting power of minority groups, is illegal. However, partisan gerrymandering—favoring a political party—is still allowed in many states.

Politicians redraw district maps in ways that make it nearly impossible for the opposing party to win. They do this using two main tactics: packing and cracking (explained below).

Packing means concentrating as many voters from the opposing party into as few districts as possible. This limits their influence to only a few areas while the ruling party controls the rest.

Cracking means splitting up voters from the opposing party across many districts, making sure they don’t have enough numbers to win in any of them.

They use voter registration data, past election results, and computer models to create maps that favor their party. The goal is to win the most seats while getting the fewest actual votes.

Every 10 years, after the U.S. Census, states redraw congressional and state legislative districts to reflect population changes. This process is called redistricting, and it’s when gerrymandering happens.

In most states, the state legislature controls redistricting, which means the party in power can manipulate the maps to benefit themselves. Some states have independent commissions to draw fairer maps.

Gerrymandering makes elections unfair. It allows politicians to stay in power even when most voters don’t support them, which weakens democracy and makes people feel like their votes don’t matter.

Yes. Even if most people in a state vote for one party, gerrymandering can allow the other party to win more seats and control the government.

Yes. It creates “safe seats” where one party is guaranteed to win. This means politicians don’t have to listen to all voters, just their party’s base, leading to more extreme policies and less compromise.

When politicians don’t have to compete for votes, they don’t need to respond to public opinion. This means they can pass laws that benefit special interests rather than the people.

Absolutely. It can dilute the voting power of specific groups, such as racial minorities or people in cities, making their voices less powerful in elections.

Politicians benefit from it, so they have no incentive to change the system. Courts have ruled that partisan gerrymandering is unfair but have not stepped in to stop it at the national level.

The Supreme Court has ruled that racial gerrymandering is unconstitutional, but it has refused to outlaw partisan gerrymandering. That’s why stronger laws or a constitutional amendment are needed.

Yes. In states where independent commissions draw district maps instead of politicians, elections are much fairer, and gerrymandering is reduced.

A constitutional amendment would create a nationwide standard to ensure all district maps are drawn fairly. Without it, gerrymandering will continue wherever politicians control the process.

It could require all states to use independent commissions, ban partisan gerrymandering, and ensure districts are drawn based on fair, nonpartisan rules.

You can support groups fighting for fair elections, vote for candidates who support redistricting reform, and demand that your state adopt independent commissions for drawing district maps.