Congressional Redistricting

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In the US, states have the constitutional authority to draw congressional districts, and most do so in their legislatures. The party in control tends to draw districts that ensure reelection for their members, and eliminate districts that would do so for the other party. The courts have limited the worst abuses of this power, but a comprehensive reform of this system would require a constitutional amendment, which would have to originate either with the people who benefit most from this system or from the people who currently wield the power. I don't foresee them deciding to change it without a massive public outcry, but the issue strikes me as too technical and complicated to grab the attention of enough people.

Does anyone see a way out of this mess, or see it as something other than a mess? I'd also like to hear from people in other countries, if your nation has a better way.

Gerrymandering is a problem, for sure.. Look at Texas, for example. But you are right, it is way too esoteric to generate enough of a public outcry to get anything done. Kind of like campaign finance reform, in a way. It's just not sexy.

See, that is part of what I, for my part, do not get about OTHER people. I forget how old I was when I first learned about it. I immediately saw what was involved, and recognized that it was stupid and wrong and undesirable.

So how can anyone NOT see that? WHY does it have to be "sexy"? Does that simply mean that if it is convenient for politicians it can never be changed?

Funny how Democrats are perfectly fine with the rules when it benefits them but when they lose they want to change the rules because it no longer benefits them.

California just passed a couple referendums where districts for state offices are determined by an independent panel of liberals and conservatives, and a few third party members. How this will work has not been tested.