Same voters, different outcomes: How gerrymandering works in the United States

The U.S. midterm elections are influenced by gerrymandering, where both parties redraw district maps to secure congressional seats. Republicans in Texas and Democrats in California have made significant changes to their district boundaries, aiming to gain additional seats. This mid-decade redistricting is the largest since the 19th century, with 12 states participating. Gerrymandering employs techniques like packing and cracking to manipulate voter distribution. While projections suggest Republicans could gain 15 seats and Democrats six, these outcomes are uncertain due to outdated polling data. Some states attempted redistricting but were unsuccessful, highlighting the contentious nature of this practice.