Nearly six in ten Americans believe democracy in the United States is under threat, with partisan redistricting emerging as a major source of concern, according to a new Reuters/Ipsos poll.
The survey found that 57% of respondents fear for the future of U.S. democracy, including 80% of Democrats and 40% of Republicans. A majority, 55%, agreed that gerrymandering — the practice of redrawing congressional districts to secure an advantage for a certain party — is "bad for democracy."
The poll underscored a deep partisan distrust driving respondents' views on their political opponents. Over half of all Democrats surveyed said Republicans could not be trusted, while 43% of Republicans said the same of Democrats. However, many respondents also expressed unease with redistricting on either side. Amanda Kelley, a Republican voter in Dallas, said, "I don't like it when either side tries to do that. I think that's shady business."
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The debate has intensified as Republicans in Texas and Democrats in California move to alter maps ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. In Texas, Republican Governor Greg Abbott has executed President Donald Trump's intention to conduct redistricting in the state to strengthen his party's hold on the U.S. House, where Republicans now control 219 seats to Democrats' 212.
The Texas House approved a new congressional map on Wednesday on a party-line vote after hours of debate. State Rep. Todd Hunter, who sponsored the measure, said the plan's "underlying goal... is straightforward: improve Republican political performance," as local KUT News reported.
Democrats in the chamber opposed the proposal, arguing it diluted minority voting strength and stripped communities of fair representation. "This bill intentionally discriminates against Black and Hispanic Texans," said State Rep. Chris Turner, a Democrat from Grand Prairie, calling the process "cheating." Activists protesting at the Capitol carried signs that read, "END GERRYMANDERING SAVE DEMOCRACY."
California, meanwhile, is moving forward with a countermove. Governor Gavin Newsom has backed a plan that would allow the Democratic-controlled legislature to redraw the state's maps to offset Republican gains in Texas.
A POLITICO-UC Berkeley poll published Thursday found that while 70% of Democrats nationally say gerrymandering is "never acceptable," a majority also favor California redrawing districts if Texas does. Former President Barack Obama and other Democratic leaders have endorsed the proposal as a necessary step to prevent Republicans from perpetuating themselves in power.
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