Gerrymandering Fight Is Going to Get Ugly

Tuesday’s victories might allow Republicans to gerrymander their way to a decade of House dominance. Republicans now hold more state legislature seats than at any time since the Great Depression, giving them the power to redraw at least 195 districts next year, writes John Fund in the Wall Street Journal. Democrats control a mere 65. The parties share control on another 86 seats, and 88 more will be drawn by independent commissions.

“Look for Democrats—frequent abusers of the gerrymander after past censuses—to stir up public outrage over Republican abuses (real or imagined),” Fund predicts. The Obama Justice Department will likely try to block plans in the 14 states covered by the Voting Rights Act, which could lead to some lengthy legal battles. And expect more ballot provisions to establish even more independent commissions—voters have repeatedly supported them, most recently in California on Tuesday.