Florence, Mass. (October 19, 2021): As states across the country roll out new voting maps, the Redistricting Report Card, a collaboration between RepresentUs and the Princeton Gerrymandering Project, shows that maps produced so far by independent redistricting commissions are more fair. The Redistricting Report Card gave maps produced by independent redistricting commissions an average grade of B+, while states without the panels scored an average grade of D.

“This redistricting cycle proves that politicians shouldn’t be drawing voting maps,” said RepresentUs CEO Josh Silver. “Independent redistricting commissions are more likely to ensure transparency and less likely to rig maps for partisan gain.”

For example, Colorado and New Mexico, both states with independent redistricting commissions, produced congressional maps that scored A’s. Texas and Illinois, where state legislators have total control, produced failing maps. 

Dysfunction on several independent redistricting commissions have made headlines, but each state uses a different process and commissions have performed well overall. We cannot return to secretive, closed-door map-drawing sessions led by self-interested politicians. 

The Freedom to Vote Act offers a path forward for all states to produce fair maps. While it does not require independent redistricting commissions, the bill outright bans partisan gerrymandering, the act of drawing maps to favor a political party. The historic elections reform bill provides a path for courts to strike down rigged maps. The Freedom to Vote Act also requires transparency and public participation. 

The RepresentUs Gerrymandering Threat Index found 35 states at extreme or high risk for gerrymandering, meaning that current politicians are in charge of drawing maps and often one party has total control over the process. Moderate and low risk states use independent redistricting commissions to at least some degree, and require bipartisan approval of maps.

“We are early in the redistricting cycle, but it’s already clear we desperately need to pass the Freedom to Vote Act,” said Silver. “Otherwise, millions of Americans will be stuck with unfair, partisan maps for the next decade.”

The Redistricting Report Card utilizes an algorithm that generates 1 million districting plans for each state. The tool compares maps against the full range of possibilities -- both good and bad -- and issues grades. The Redistricting Report Card grades maps on competitiveness, geography, and partisan fairness. 

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press@represent.us

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RepresentUs is the nation’s largest grassroots anti-corruption organization, bringing together conservatives, progressives, and everyone in between to pass anti-corruption laws in cities and states to stop political bribery, end secret money, and fix our broken elections.

RepresentUs is America’s leading anti-corruption organization working city-by-city, state-by-state to fix our broken political system.