This cartoon (printed in the Boston Gazette in 1812), depicts a salamander-like district and first called wide-spread attention to political bias in redistricting.

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman Devin Nunes (R-Tulare) introduced legislation to reform the manner in which Congressional Districts are drawn following the decennial census. The legislation would impact redistricting prior to the 2012 elections. 

“For too long, the voters have been used in an electoral game that has allowed legislators to stack the deck. It is time to change the game. The American voter should decide who their representative is and not the other way around,” said Rep. Devin Nunes. 

Titled the Congressional Redistricting Formula Act, the Nunes bill requires Congressional Districts to be drawn based on a specific set of rules.

Specifically, politicians would be banned from intentionally diluting the voting strength of any person or group and would be required to keep communities whole by minimizing divisions and fragmentations of cities and counties. These reforms would end the practice of partisan Gerrymandering. 

“Allowing political consultants to draw made-to-order Congressional Districts for their political bosses has emasculated the democratic process. It has divided communities that share both geographic and historic ties and it has helped build an empire of political patronage for out of touch party leaders. Worst of all, it has fueled rampant voter apathy and distrust and has caused serious damage to the reputation of the Peoples’ House,” said Rep. Devin Nunes. 

The Nunes bill exercises the Constitutional authority of Congress under Article One, Section Four, to enact laws governing the time, place and manner of Congressional elections. It has been endorsed by the Campaign Legal Center, a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to election reforms. 

“The Congressional Redistricting Formula Act is to be commended as a commonsense effort to curb some of the most blatant abuses of the redistricting process,” said J. Gerald Hebert, Executive Director of the Campaign Legal Center. 

Hebert continued, “Representative Nunes’ bill deserves broad bipartisan support, public attention, and a hearing – something that has been denied to numerous past efforts to reform the redistricting system.