Independent Rep. Kiley moves to force vote to ban midcycle redistricting

"“This arms race could create a new norm where maps are redrawn to gain a temporary advantage every two years,” Kiley wrote to Jeffries in a letter obtained by Axios. “The result will be chaos for our democracy: a weakening of representation, a further polarization of Congress, and a deepening of the distrust and division that threaten our country's future.”"

"Kiley's bill would prohibit states from redrawing congressional maps more than once every 10 years, after the census, unless a federal court orders it. Kiley said the petition's success likely hinges on whether Jeffries backs the effort. “I think it's going to be dependent upon, you know, whether Leader Jeffries decides to stand by what he said, which is that we ought to end mid-decade redistricting,” Kiley told Axios."

"“If he does, then I think we will have the support for a bipartisan solution here that will just say, enough is enough.” Rep. Emanuel Cleaver (D-Mo.), who, like Kiley, got drawn out of his seat this cycle, said “of course” he would sign on to the discharge petition, calling mid-decade redistricting “immoral and unethical.”"

"Rep. Greg Landsman (D-Ohio), whose district was made more Republican-leaning by GOP state lawmakers last year, said he also would sign on: “Why wouldn't I? Both parties need to get behind ending this. It's gonna kill the democracy.”"

A new congressional map in California shifted a once Republican-leaning district into more Democratic territory, leading Kevin Kiley to leave the GOP and become an independent. Kiley warned that midcycle redistricting could become a recurring partisan weapon if not limited. He proposed a bill that would prohibit states from redrawing congressional maps more than once every 10 years after the census, unless a federal court orders a change. Kiley urged House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Democrats to support a petition to end mid-decade redistricting. Support from Jeffries was described as likely decisive for building a bipartisan solution. Other Democrats called mid-decade redistricting immoral and unethical and said both parties should end it.

Read at Axios