The Revenge of the Dummymander
The Atlantic
February 23, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Partisan gerrymandering, the practice of drawing electoral districts to favor one party over another, has long been criticized as antidemocratic. However, this strategy can sometimes backfire in a phenomenon known as "dummymandering," where the party responsible for the gerrymander ends up losing due to its own map-drawing efforts. This article explores how recent redistricting efforts ahead of the 2026 midterms could lead to such unintended consequences, potentially harming the very parties that sought to gain an advantage.
Recent actions by President Trump and Republican leaders in states like Texas have sparked a frenzy of redistricting, breaking a decades-long precedent tied to the decennial census. These efforts aim to secure Republican gains, but they may ultimately prove counterproductive. For instance, spreading voters too thin across districts to favor one party can leave candidates vulnerable if the opposing party performs well. This strategy risks creating districts that are overly competitive, which could backfire if Democrats experience a strong showing in key areas.
Historical examples of dummymandering highlight its potential impact. In Georgia after the 1990 census, Democratic-drawn maps ended up benefiting Republicans more than intended, leading to significant Republican gains. Similarly, modern efforts like those in Texas could have similar outcomes. A recent special election in
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Originally published on The Atlantic on 2/23/2026