The Parties Are Losing. That's Why They're Redrawing Districts

Partisan affiliation in the U.S. has sharply declined over the past two decades. Today, only 28% of Americans identify with either the Republican or Democratic party, down from 34% in 2004. This drop in party loyalty helps explain the rise of the independent voter, who now make up 43% of the electorate. But just as the electorate becomes less partisan, the political system is becoming more so – thanks to recent gerrymandering in Texas, California, and potentially many more states. It’s no wonder so many Americans are walking away from the parties that have spent more energy protecting their…