'World News' Political Insights: Redistricting Battles Loom Over 2010

BALTIMORE, Oct. 17, 2010— -- Looming battles over the re-drawing of congressional district lines are raising the stakes of elections nation-wide, and are pushing party leaders to refocus last-minute resources as they hope to win more control over the once-a-decade redistricting process.

With roughly a third of states expected to either gain or lose a member of Congress after this year's census, redistricting amounts to a stealth issue in the 2010 elections -- one with long-lasting consequences for party control of Congress. It's taken on an added political dimension this time around, after the unusual mid-decade redistricting in Texas ended the careers of five Democratic House members in 2004.

The likely changes in congressional representation are intensifying national attention on gubernatorial and state legislative contests in states such as Texas, Florida, Ohio and Pennsylvania. The first two states are poised to be big winners in the reapportionment of House districts, while the latter two appear likely to lose seats.

Beyond that, ballot initiatives in several states -- most notably California and Florida -- could have long-lasting implications on how new voting districts are drawn in 2011 and beyond.

"It's really about power and who has it -- and the lengths that they're willing to go to keep people from getting it," said Jeff Reichert, a filmmaker who's out with a new documentary, "Gerrymandering," that explores the politicization of the redistricting process.

"Aside from outright fraud, this is the best way to control elections that you can," Reichert said.

Gerrymandering is as old as the nation itself. Elbridge Gerry, who would go on to become the nation's fifth vice president, gave the term its name as governor of Massachusetts in 1812. Decades earlier, Patrick Henry famously drew Virginia's congressional districts to favor James Monroe over James Madison. (Madison won anyway.)