Thread by @kellycward

🧵🧶: We're just a few weeks into the redistricting process and Republican gerrymandering is already out in full force. Their attempts to gerrymander and rig our election system are happening from Ohio to Nebraska. A long (but important!) update ⬇️

Let's start with Ohio: Just today, Republicans released their state legislative maps. Unsurprisingly, these maps flat out ignore the spirit of the redistricting reform Ohioans passed in 2015. What does that mean?

It means Ohioans could see their political power diluted *for another decade.*

Despite the GOP winning about 55% of statewide votes across the last decade, these maps give them 66% of the state House & Senate seats. That's MORE seats than they currently have.

That's what rigging the maps for political gain looks like. And they're not just doing it in Ohio.

Yesterday, Republicans in Nebraska released their congressional map--a blatant partisan gerrymander.

Despite census data showing Nebraska's population growth came from urban and suburban areas, Republicans diluted the power of those communities by unnecessarily dividing Omaha into *two* congressional districts. They also failed to gather any input before releasing the map.

And in Tennessee, rumors abound that Republicans are currently working on maps that carve up Nashville and create a gerrymandered 8-1 map. Do we really think that's what the people want?

Speaking of what people want -- Republicans should want people to be involved in this process! But in North Carolina, they're refusing to livestream redistricting hearings and yesterday changed the venue at the last minute. They're making it harder to participate, not easier.

And finally, Texas. The Special Session for redistricting begins on September 20. That's right - the same legislators who just passed #SB1 (blatant voter suppression) and #SB8 (stripping women of autonomy over their bodies!) will now be drawing maps. 😲 Expect gerrymandering.

Let's be clear: The 🚨RED ALERTS🚨 about Republican plans to cut voters out of the political process and manipulate maps to hold onto power for the next decade are real - and it's happening in the states RIGHT NOW.