Amid the high-stakes political battles consuming the nation, New Jersey finds itself in an unexpected position: a bystander. While other states engage in a political “war” over congressional redistricting, the Garden State is on the sidelines, content with its well-established, albeit imperfect, process. This unique situation, however, means New Jersey may miss the opportunity to play the same aggressive political games seen elsewhere—a consequence of doing things more or less the right way.
The chaos stems from a nationwide scramble to redraw congressional maps. In a move that feels ripped from a political thriller, Democrats in Texas literally fled the state to prevent a quorum, thereby blocking Republicans from pushing through a new map. This isn’t an isolated incident. Republican-led states like Indiana, Florida, and South Carolina are also seeking to change district lines to their advantage, even with an overwhelming majority already in the House. In response, Democratic-controlled states such as California and New York are considering similar actions as a defensive measure.
Normally, this process occurs once every decade following the U.S. Census, with the newly drawn maps lasting until the next Census. The current wave of redistricting, however, is being driven by the fear of a shift in political power in the 2026 midterm elections. The conventional rules of politics have been cast aside in a mad dash for a tactical advantage, with both sides preparing to use any means necessary to secure or expand their influence.
New Jersey, despite its reputation for political maneuvering, stands as a curious exception. The state’s redistricting process is deliberately designed to be more equitable and less susceptible to the whims of the party in power. A 13-member bipartisan commission is responsible for drawing the maps. The commission holds public meetings and hearings across the state, ensuring that citizens have a voice in the process. While the tie-breaking 13th member is often a partisan appointment, this system is still vastly preferable to a legislative majority redrawing the maps to suit their party’s interests.
This structured process makes it difficult for New Jersey Democrats to unilaterally redraw district lines. If they were to attempt it, they would face the very system designed to prevent such a move. The current political landscape in New Jersey is divided, with nine Democratic House members and three Republicans. The question of whether this could be changed is a tantalizing one. For instance, reverting to the old boundaries of Congressional District 7 (CD-7), which helped Democrat Tom Malinowski win in 2018 and 2020, could potentially give Democrats another seat, shifting the balance to 10-2. However, this is a theoretical possibility that would be challenging to achieve under the current system.
The core of this national debate isn’t about population shifts or community interests; it’s about raw political power. The fundamental principles of democracy—fairness and equal representation—are being cast aside in favor of partisan gain. It’s a regression to an earlier, more tribal era of politics where the ends justify the means. As New York Governor Kathy Hochul has called it, this is a “war,” and while the language may be hyperbolic, the sentiment is genuine.
The intent of one side is to alter the congressional map to simply secure more seats, and the other side feels they have no choice but to respond in kind. This cycle of political one-upmanship seems impossible to stop once it begins. In a strange way, it’s a shame New Jersey is not fully engaged in this high-stakes game. While the state’s process may not be perfect, it represents a commitment to fairness and a reminder that there is a better way to do things, even if it means missing out on the political theater.
To learn more about New Jersey’s political landscape, including its approach to redistricting, please visit here.
