Target: Laurel Lee, Chair of U.S. House Administration Subcommittee on Elections
Goal: Veto attempt to redraw Congressional map of major state before midterms.
Texas Congressional representatives – many of whose constituents recently endured deadly floods – apparently have higher priorities than disaster relief. Their first (and seemingly most important) order of business is to once again redraw Congressional districts they created to provide themselves even more of an advantage going into midterms. The redrawn maps, which were pushed by the president, would impact – and in some cases eliminate — five districts that have typically been Democratic strongholds in order to make them more advantageous to Republicans. Perhaps not surprisingly, communities of color will be most disproportionately impacted.
The audacious move comes years away from when these political maps are typically altered. It appears to be a maneuver with the sole purpose of tipping the midterms scales, since the balance of power is already precarious. A state representative even admitted the redistricting was “for partisan purposes.” Democrat-leaning states have vowed to retaliate, which will only accelerate a gerrymandering war wherein influence continues to move from the voters and into the hands of the politicians who are supposed to represent them.
The chaos has already resulted in state departures from some representatives and threats of retaliatory arrests by others. Sign the petition below to demand these politicians stop playing drawing games with democracy.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Representative Lee,
Congress is supposed to be an entity of, by, and for the people. Public service and democratic representation are meant to be at its core. Texas’ radical redistricting plan strikes at the heart of these missions. While it may seem advantageous in the short term, rest assured that in the long term it will bite you…as states not favorable to your side of the aisle have promised retaliation. But in what should be more important than any political calculus, every gerrymander undermines the will of your constituents and treats the people as chess pieces to be moved or discarded at their representatives’ discretion.
Americans crave stability, trust, and confidence in their leaders, not political warfare where they are the collateral damage. Show you are truly the House of the People and reject this unethical and ill-advised power grab.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Cottonbro Studio
