AOC urges Dems to redraw maps after Supreme Court ruling: 'We have to abide by the same rules'

WASHINGTON, DC: Rep Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) said Democratic-leaning states should consider gerrymandering their congressional maps in response to Republican efforts to do the same.

The remarks by the Democratic congresswoman followed the US Supreme Court’s decision to gut Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The court said that Louisiana over-relied on race when it redrew its congressional map in 2024. 

AOC says Democrats must follow 'same rules' on redistricting

Ocasio-Cortez said Democrats have long supported nonpartisan approaches to redistricting but argued that the current situation requires a different response.

“The Democratic caucus has tried to pass nonpartisan gerrymandering for ten years,” Ocasio-Cortez told The Independent.

“Republicans have rejected it, and so we have to all abide by the same rules.”

She added that both parties may now have to operate under the same conditions, suggesting that Democratic-controlled states consider redrawing maps in response.

Her comments reflect concerns among Democrats that the ruling could allow Republican-led states to adjust district boundaries in ways that benefit their party.

“And so if Republicans are going to redraw North Carolina, if they're going to redraw Texas, if they're going to redraw and gerrymander every one of their states, then unfortunately, we have to provide balance to that until we get to the day where we can all finally agree to put this behind us and pass nonpartisan gerrymandering federally,” Ocasio-Cortez said.

Supreme Court ruling opens door to new redistricting battles

The decision is expected to have broader political implications, particularly ahead of upcoming elections.

It effectively opens the door for Republican-leaning states to redraw their congressional maps to expand Republican representation without fear of violating the Voting Rights Act.

Already, Texas and North Carolina have redrawn their congressional maps at the request of President Donald Trump.

Republicans hope that by redrawing congressional maps mid-decade, they can avoid losing their majority in the House of Representatives.

The ruling has also drawn reactions across the political spectrum. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said he would challenge the effort.

“While Democrats have given voters the choice whether or not to respond to Donald Trump’s mid-decade gerrymandering scheme at the ballot box, Republicans are drawing maps behind closed doors in the dead of night,” Jeffries said in a statement earlier this week.

“The DeSantis Dummymander will not stand. See you in Court.”

Traditionally, Democrats have supported nonpartisan redistricting. However, Republican efforts have led some to support temporary gerrymandering in states with nonpartisan redistricting boards.