In the new documentary film, Slay the Dragon, journalists Dave Daley, Ari Berman, Vann Newkirk and others explain how legislators in some key swing states used gerrymandering to draw districts favorable to Republican candidates. Former Wisconsin State Senator Dale Schultz (R) explains, “It really represents legislators picking voters rather than voters picking legislators.”
Step One: Redraw the Maps
Congressional districts are redrawn every 10 years after the US Census (which is another reason why it’s important that everyone fill out their Census forms). But in 2010, something different happened. Watch now
Step Two: Win Elections
New techniques in districting allow legislators to essentially pick their voters, instead of the other way around. And in 2010, Republicans in several states redrew maps that guaranteed victory. Watch now
Step Three: Suppress the Vote
Once in power, legislators begin rolling back laws that encourage voting and instituting restrictions that make it harder for citizens to vote. Across the country, 25 states have passed restrictive voting laws since 2010. In this clip from the new documentary, Slay the Dragon, we learn what happened in North Carolina.