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Ballot Box
Did Republicans Accidentally Checkmate Themselves?
What’s going on: In the game of political strategy, the Democrats might come out ahead — at least for now. Last year, President Donald Trump and the Republicans lit a powder keg when they made the highly unusual move to redraw Texas’s congressional map mid-decade. Sure, they added five House Republican seats. But Democrats took notes and started playing the same game. A new map in California effectively canceled out the GOP’s win in Texas. Earlier this week, Virginia voters approved new district lines… and the Dems are projected to win 10 of those 11 new seats. Now, some Republicans have regrets. Rep. Kevin Kiley, a former California Republican turned independent, said, “I wish none of this had happened.”
What about the midterms?: Currently, there are seven new House maps, with under seven months before Americans head to the polls. Whether or not those maps will be used in this year’s election? That’ll be up to the courts. Most, if not all, of these maps are expected to face legal challenges. Some are already in legal limbo, including Virginia’s. And it’s far from over. Next up: Florida, where voters will be asked if they want to tweak their map and help Republicans catch up. Analysts say the Sunshine State might be the GOP’s final hope. Regardless of what happens, we won’t know who won this round until November 3. At least future high school history tests won’t run out of material.
