In a New York Times opinion piece published on May 19, 2026, former Attorney General Eric H. Holder Jr. argued that partisan redistricting, or gerrymandering, undermines American democracy and must be addressed through federal legislation. Holder, who chairs the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, called on Congress to pass the John R. Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act, which would restore key provisions of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 that were weakened by the Supreme Court's 2013 Shelby County v. Holder decision.
Holder cited the 2020 census and subsequent redistricting cycle as evidence of how gerrymandering has intensified political polarization and disenfranchised minority voters. He noted that in states like Texas and North Carolina, maps drawn by Republican-controlled legislatures have been challenged in court for diluting the voting power of communities of color. According to the Brennan Center for Justice, extreme partisan gerrymandering in the 2021-2022 cycle affected over 60% of U.S. House districts.
The former attorney general emphasized that the issue transcends party lines, pointing to instances where Democrats have also engaged in gerrymandering when in power, such as in Illinois and Maryland. However, he argued that the problem is most acute in states where one party controls the redistricting process without checks. Holder urged the creation of independent redistricting commissions, similar to those in states like California and Michigan, which have produced more competitive elections.
Holder's piece comes as the Supreme Court is expected to rule on two gerrymandering cases this term, including Alexander v. South Carolina State Conference of the NAACP, which challenges racial gerrymandering in a congressional district. The court's decision could further shape the legal landscape for redistricting. Holder concluded by warning that without action, the 2030 redistricting cycle could be even more manipulated, further eroding public trust in elections.
