The partisan fight to draw maps that determine how Americans are represented has entered a dangerous spiral. Texas is racing ahead with a mid-decade congressional redraw designed to lock in additional seats after President Donald Trump called on state lawmakers to find five seats.

California’s leaders responded in kind to offset the Texas map, but will hold a special election in which voters must decide whether to put aside the state’s congressional maps drawn by an independent redistricting commission for the next three election cycles. Other states are openly weighing similar moves.

But this “map wars” logic is dangerous, and voters from all backgrounds stand to lose as districts harden into safe seats and politicians’ accountability to voters withers.

Large majorities of Americans sa

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