TOMORROW, THE GOP begins more EXTREME GERRYMANDERING
Jump to today’s scripts:
BACKGROUND
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering a flurry of GOP gerrymandering.
This renewed gerrymandering is even more pernicious than its voter suppression legislation because it can’t be out-organized.
The GOP’s high-tech tools will quickly choose what voters to put where in the 187 districts it redraws (compared to the Dems’ 75).
Much of the redistricting process will be over in just weeks, allowing Republicans to rig enough seats to solidify its control over state and federal legislatures for the next decade.
In fact, just its redistricting in Georgia, Florida, North Carolina, and Texas could add 6-16 GOP House seats--enough to retake the House.
In 2011, when GOP redrew five times as many seats as Dems:
GOP won the House 234-201 in 2012, despite Dems’ 1.4 million more votes
Dems reclaimed House in 2018 only because courts redrew 70% of flipped seats
Dems’ current 5-seat House majority is entirely owed to courts overturning GOP maps in Pennsylvania and North Carolina
Now that the Supreme Court’s closed federal courts to gerrymandering claims, the GOP can act with impunity.
Unless Congress urgently prevents this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections.
1. Call the Senate.
Script for Oregon Senators
SEN. MERKLEY: Portland office: 503-326-3386 | D.C. office: 202-224-3753
My name is [--] and I'm a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Schumer must keep the Senate in session, bringing voting-rights legislation to the floor until all Dems agree to its passage by majority vote. Voters deserve no less.
SEN. WYDEN: Portland office: 503-326-7525 | D.C. office: 202-224-5244
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Schumer must keep the Senate in session, bringing voting-rights legislation to the floor until all Dems agree to its passage by majority vote. Voters deserve no less.
Script for Republican Senators
D.C switchboard: 202-224-3121
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], [state], [zip code].
The right to vote is at the heart of democracy and must be protected for every voter, regardless of party. Show Senator Manchin that protecting democracy is bipartisan and vote for the voting rights legislation that will soon reach the Senate floor.
2. Call the House.
Script for Suzanne Bonamici (OR-01)
Oregon office: 503-469-6010 | DC office: 202-225-0855
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Return to Washington and pass anti-gerrymandering legislation before it is too late.
Script for Cliff Bentz (OR-02)
Medford office: 541-776-4646 | DC office: 202-225-6730
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
I am calling to demand that you speak out against the Big Lie. It is time for you to tout Oregon’s successful vote-by-mail system and to work to protect our democracy. Show the world that protecting democracy is bipartisan by returning to Washington and voting for the John Lewis Voter Enhancement Act and whatever other anti-gerrymandering legislation that reaches the House floor.
Script for Earl Blumenauer (OR-03)
Oregon office: 503-231-2300 | DC office: 202-225-4811
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Return to Washington and pass anti-gerrymandering legislation before it is too late.
Script for Peter DeFazio (OR-04)
Eugene office: 541-465-6732 | DC office: 202-225-6416
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Return to Washington and pass anti-gerrymandering legislation before it is too late.
Script for Kurt Schrader (OR-05)
Salem office: 503-588-9100 | DC office: 202-225-5711
My name is [–] and I’m a constituent from [city], Oregon [zip code].
Tomorrow the census numbers will be released, triggering even more GOP partisan gerrymandering. Unless Congress immediately acts to prevent this gerrymandering bloodbath, Dems will have squandered their last meaningful opportunity to protect the integrity of our elections. Return to Washington and pass anti-gerrymandering legislation before it is too late.
3. Take Action
To preserve our freedom to vote, Congress must hear from constituents across the country. Please email/text this action to 5 friends in other states – especially those in red states and in Delaware (where its two senators have rejected filibuster reform)– and ask them to call today.
Sources:
GOP Could Retake the House in 2022 Just by Gerrymandering Four Southern States
Why your vote may not count after redistricting
Supreme Court decision could set off gerrymandering ‘arms race’
The House is supposed to represent the people. It doesn’t.
Five Thirty Eight’s Redistricting Tracker
As Fascist GOP Threat Grows, Dems Verge on Historic Failure to Secure Voting Rights
The Senate should postpone vacation until it acts on voting rights
Democrats haven’t given up on their democracy-protection bill
