Common Cause takes gerrymandering to court

What's happening in North Carolina could reshape redistricting nationwide

Pamela, we're going to court today. For years, politicians have drawn maps to keep themselves in power and silence communities. It's called gerrymandering, and Common Cause is leading the nationwide fight to end it for good. In NC NAACP v. Berger, Common Cause North Carolina is challenging new districts that strip power from Black communities—standing with voters and allies to demand fair maps. These maps don't just break the law—they break trust. When voters are shut out, they lose more than a voice. They lose influence over schools, health care, and the leaders who are supposed to represent them. But this isn't just happening in North Carolina—it's a decades-old problem. Common Cause has a long track record of defeating gerrymanders through organizing, legal action, and grassroots pressure, state by state. We brought Common Cause v. Rucho—another unfair maps case out of North Carolina—all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. And even though the Court refused to act, the case helped expose how politicians rig maps to hold on to power. Pamela, we've seen the same tactics in state after state: draw unfair maps, silence communities of color, and lock in control. Some analysts have suggested that Republicans didn't flip the House in 2022 because of a "red wave"—but because of redistricting. Favorable maps likely gave them an edge, with fewer than 30 truly competitive districts nationwide. [1] It's a simple, yet unfortunate truth. Who draws the maps can decide who controls Congress. Here's a bit of what that fight has looked like across the country: In Florida, we sued Governor DeSantis over a map that unfairly targeted Black voters—breaking up a district where they had elected a leader of their choice for years. In Georgia, we sued to stop congressional maps that split up communities of color to weaken their voice. It's part of a bigger effort to stop decades of racist redistricting. In Texas, while GOP leaders defend their already discriminatory 2021 maps in court, they're now trying to push through new, even more extreme ones—under pressure from Trump's advisors. We're mobilizing our members to help to stop this illegal power grab before it starts. In Pennsylvania, we're pushing for a Fair Districts Amendment that would put map-drawing in the hands of an independent commission—not politicians—so the public gets a real say. In Minnesota, our team helped end prison gerrymandering—changing how people in prison are counted in redistricting. That means fairer representation for their home communities, and we're working to bring this reform to other states too. In Wisconsin, Common Cause helped win fair legislative maps for the first time in over a decade. It took years of legal fights, public testimony, and local organizing—but it's one of the biggest anti-gerrymandering wins in the country. And in states like Indiana, New Mexico, New York, and Ohio, we're working with local coalitions to build long-term reforms that move redistricting power out of partisan backrooms and into the hands of the people. Common Cause even sued Trump in 2020 for his unconstitutional attempt to deprive immigrant communities of equal representation in Congress. Pamela, this work is strategic, coordinated, and rooted in the communities most impacted. While politicians in both parties draw maps to protect their power, Common Cause is the only group fighting nationwide to put people—not parties—in charge. We're in court. We're organizing. And we're backing it all with trusted research—like our 50-state Redistricting Report Card, which grades every state on fairness and public access. This fight was never about one case or one map. It's about protecting our democracy—where every voice counts and no politician can rig the rules to stay in power. Thank you for being part of this work. —The team at Common Cause P.S. We're fighting gerrymandering schemes in courts and state legislatures across the country. If you'd like to support our team in Florida with the resources they need to take on these fights at home, you can make a donation to Common Cause Florida here >> [1] https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/three-takeaways-redistricting-and-competition-2022-midterms Common Cause Florida is a leader in fights that matter at the local and state level. Your support helps us fight special interests, hold elected officials accountable, and build a better democracy for all Floridians. DONATE Interested in volunteering with our Action Team? Sign up here. 333 3rd Ave N, Unit 427 St. Petersburg Fl, 33701 202.833.1200 https://commoncause.org Common Cause's work to defend and strengthen our democracy is powered by members like you. You can use this link to unsubscribe or let us know you'd like to receive fewer emails from us.

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