State Gains Would Give Redistricting Edge to G.O.P.

[RamboLiberal]

Source: NY Times

The midterm elections are being closely watched for the answer to a high-stakes question: Will Republicans have a majority in Congress for the next two years? But it is the outcome of a lower-profile battle over state legislatures that could strengthen the Republican party for a decade.

Republicans are within reach of gaining control of eight or more chambers in statehouses around the country this fall, according to interviews with Republicans, Democrats and independent political analysts. That would give Republicans the power to draw more Congressional districts in their favor, since the expected gains come just as many legislatures will play a major role in the once-a-decade process of redrawing the boundaries of those districts.

Republicans said they expected to win control of House chambers in Indiana, Ohio and Pennsylvania, and the State Senate in Wisconsin, and saw at least a dozen other states where they have a reasonable chance of winning control of legislative chambers. Democrats acknowledge that they will be fighting to preserve their slim majorities in at least 10 chambers — including State Senates in Nevada, New Hampshire and New York — but say that they see opportunities to gain control of chambers in four other states.

Redistricting, it has often been said, turns the traditional definition of democracy on its head: rather than allowing voters to choose their leaders, it allows leaders to choose their voters.


Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/08/us/politics/08legislature.html?_r=1&hp

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And then screwed again for another damn decade!

[demodonkey]

1. That ship sailed in PA already because Dems stayed home in 2009 when control of the...

...State Supreme Court was up for grabs. Poor Democratic voter turnout permitted a whackjob-crazy fundie to get the open seat and gave the majority on the court to the GOP.

The state Supreme Court will in all probability ultimately decide the redistricting plan in Pennsylvania -- and guess which way it will go.

Failure to vote only makes things worse. Those of you so-called Democrats who contemplate staying home this November, SHAME ON YOU.

[BumRushDaShow]

2. Agreed! There are 1.2 million more registered Democrats than rethuglicans in PA

These folks need to come out!!!!!!!