Redistricting Hasn't Changed Much Power Yet

Neither Republicans nor Democrats have managed to gain much of an edge in redrawing congressional districts before the 2012 elections. However, Florida and New York have yet to come up with their maps, and Florida may determine which party wins the battle to create new seats, The Washington Post’s blog The Fix reports.

The Post’s Redistricting Scorecard projects that, in states where maps are pretty well set, Republicans gain one, seat and Democrats would keep their current number of seats. The GOP controls the district redrawing process in four times as many districts as Democrats but so far hasn’t been able to convert that power into seats.

Democrats managed to put together maps in Illinois and California that could move as many as six or eight Republicans seats into the Democrats’ column. However, the GOP countered with its maps in North Carolina, Georgia and Texas, the Post reported.

Which brings the process to Florida. The U.S. Census gives Florida two new seats and Republicans think they can draw the two in their favor. However, Democrats are hoping constitutional amendments that voters passed last year could restrict the GOP’s ability to draw districts to favor their party, the Post reported.