New Jersey Democrats’ gerrymandering proposal is dead—killed not by Republican backlash, but by near-universal opposition from grassroots progressive activists who bucked the Democratic Party to defend voting rights.
Democratic leaders in New Jersey hoped to push through the constitutional amendment with record speed. By approving it in December and January, legislators would have placed the plan on the ballot in 2019. If passed, the amendment would have given politicians substantially more control over the redistricting process. It would also compel mapmakers to prioritize political considerations, allowing them to create a partisan advantage for Democrats.
