John!

If you can’t beat ’em… beat the system? State lawmakers are rewriting the rules of representation ahead of the 2026 midterms. Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina have already gerrymandered their maps to help Republicans gain seven new seats in Congress. And on November 4, California’s Proposition 50 could do the same in reverse — redrawing the state’s map to create five Democratic-leaning districts.

Across the country, states like Virginia, Indiana, Kansas, Illinois, and Ohio are considering following their lead. A sign that the redistricting battles are far from over.

Gerrymandering often breaks up communities, especially Black and Brown voters, spreading them across different districts to tip the scales in favor of one party or group. In other words, if our democracy were a high school, redistricting would be that moment someone rewrote the seating chart and suddenly your whole friend group is split up.

From lunch tables to football games, let’s break down what’s going on as if we’re living inside the high school of an early 2000s teen sitcom.

Let’s start with the “Jocks.” They have some of the biggest platforms in the school. In this case, the jocks of democracy are the politicians using redistricting to protect their power. In places like North Carolina, Texas, and Missouri, they’re rewriting the rules so they can keep winning, no matter what the playbook says. The game plan here is gerrymandering — a move that lets them pick who’s on the other teams instead of earning the win. Sound familiar? 👀

Next up, the cheerleading team. They’re not necessarily drawing the maps, but they’re hyping them up. They use talking points, press releases, and community engagement (think pep rallies 📣) to make it sound like everyone benefits. They’ll say things like maps are “more efficient” or “better aligned with community interests.” But behind the cheers, these maps still push Black and Brown voters out of competitive districts, weakening the ability of those communities to elect candidates who reflect them.

Up next, the theater kids. Every school has that group that cares about the production, not just the drama. These are the activists, grassroots organizers, and data experts fighting for fair maps. They’re showing up to hearings, running campaigns, and turning their frustration into action. They believe in representation that reflects the whole cast. They know democracy only works when everyone has a role, not when the same few keep getting recast as the leads. 

And last but not least. The overall student body. These are your everyday voters. They’re the majority just trying to make it through the day, do their homework, and have a say in what happens next. But when the maps get redrawn, they’re the ones moved around and forced to find new tables to sit at during lunchtime. Their voices matter, but the system keeps moving the goalposts to make it harder to organize and hold the people in power accountable.

No matter which table you sit at or which group you’re in, voting is how we make sure the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. So, as maps are redrawn and the rules keep shifting, remember your vote is still your voice. And that is something redrawing a map can’t silence. Make your plan to vote today and use your voice where it matters most — at the ballot box!

— Nandi

Nandi Henderson

Associate Director, Digital Engagement

When We All Vote 🗳️

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