Sponsor MessageBecome a KQED sponsor
upper waypoint

Who Draws the Lines? A History of Gerrymandering

Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks about California redistricting plans at a press conference at the Democracy Center, Japanese American Museum on August 14, 2025 in Los Angeles, California. Newsom spoke about a possible California referendum on redistricting to counter the legislative effort to add five Republican House seats in the state of Texas.  (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

Over the holidays, we’re rebroadcasting some of our favorite interviews from 2025.

President Donald Trump this summer set off an unusual mid-decade redistricting scramble after he asked Republican-led states to redraw their congressional districts to give the GOP more seats in Congress. California Democrats responded with their own new map, which voters approved through Proposition 50 in November.

Scott and Marisa discuss the history of gerrymandering with Los Angeles Times writer James Rainey, taking us back to an earlier era when it was a regular part of California’s political landscape.

Check out Political Breakdown’s weekly newsletter, delivered straight to your inbox.

Sponsored

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Player sponsored by