Press Article: Examining Claims of Gerrymandering in Massachusetts
As redistricting efforts unfold in states like Texas and California, attention has turned to Massachusetts with claims of gerrymandering in the state’s congressional map. Critics, including former President Trump, point to the lack of Republicans in the state’s congressional delegation, asserting that Massachusetts has manipulated district lines to favor Democrats. Trump recently stated, “I got 40 percent in Massachusetts, and yet they have 100 percent of the vote…They redistricted.”
However, experts like University of Chicago Professor Moon Duchin contest these claims. Duchin’s research shows that Massachusetts’ political landscape is not a product of gerrymandering but rather reflects the state’s demographics, where the ratio of Democrats to Republicans stands at nearly two to one. Duchin argues that regardless of how districts are drawn, a Democratic sweep is the most likely outcome due to the substantial Democratic majority among voters.
Massachusetts Secretary of State Bill Galvin supports this view, asserting that districts are geologically balanced and not rigged in favor of Democrats. He emphasizes that the historical argument for gerrymandering dating back to Governor Elbridge Gerry does not hold true in today’s context.
While prominent Republicans like Mitt Romney and Bill Weld have attempted to shift to Senatorial roles, they faced significant challenges that reflect the current political climate. Scott Brown, the last Republican to win a federal office in Massachusetts, also struggled in a campaign against Democrat Elizabeth Warren, highlighting the shifting dynamics of voter sentiment.
Overall, the analysis points to a state where the distribution of voters, rather than manipulative districting, drives electoral outcomes.
Note: The image is for illustrative purposes only and is not the original image of the presented article.
