GERRYMANDERING: A THREAT TO DEMOCRACY

2 PARAGRAPHS 4 LIBERTY: 432

Another article I had a chance to read during our recent Alaskan vacation was written by Erwin Chemerinsky, Esq. in the January 2025 edition of VERDICT – National Coalition of Concerned Legal Professionals entitled “Partisan Gerrymandering Thwarts Democracy.” Gerrymandering has been a part of American politics virtually from the beginning, but what exactly is it? It is the drawing of national, state and local electoral districts by the political party that has control of its state legislature, and its city and county governments. And what happens? Logically, the dominant party draws these districts to maximize the seats lit will win in the next election. And now, with advanced computers, those efforts will be even more successful. But I anticipate you will agree that this is hardly “Democracy in Action” (more like in-action)!

So what can be done? My suggestion is for voters to create an independent commission to draw all election districts. Twelve states, including California, now have such commissions, but they are not independent. Nevertheless, happily, voters in four of those states have approved ballot measures to make them independent. It cannot be contested that partisan gerrymandering fractionates and even distorts democracy – and it is long since time for it to be reformed! So please act accordingly.

(Question: What has a head, a tail and is brown but has no legs? Answer: A Penny.)

Judge Jim Gray (Ret.) Superior Court of Orange County, California 2012 Libertarian Candidate for Vice President

Please listen to our radio show entitled All Rise! The Libertarian Way with Judge Jim Gray as we discuss timely issues and show how they will be addressed more beneficially by employing Libertarian values and approaches. The series has concluded, but you can still hear any edition On Demand at https://www.voiceamerica.com/show/3883. And, by the way, these 2 Paragraphs columns are now on my website at www.JudgeJImGray.com, Facebook and LinkedIn at judgejimgray, Twitter at judgejamesgray, and wordpress at judgejimgray.wordpress.com. Please visit these sites for past editions, and do your part to spread the word about the importance of Liberty. In addition, my new book with the same title as my radio show is now available at Amazon.com., as is my wife Grace’s and my new novel centered about School Choice entitled 2030 KIDS: We are the Rising Heroes of the Planet. Please read and discuss them with your friends, and send in a review.