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Redistricting is a big adult coloring book the process of drawing state maps to determine Congressional districts. Let’s back up. 

Lawmakers—most notably House Representatives—are elected by voters grouped into districts. Population determines the number of districts in a state (ex: Wyoming has more cows than people, so they get one district vs. California’s 39.5M people and 52 districts).

There can only be 435 Reps in the House, but populations change… so, every ten years, states redraw district boundary lines based on the census to make sure the demographics make for a fair voting landscape.

Wait, but we’re redistricting mid-decade?
Some states are (or are trying), yes. 

Midterm election season has sparked an unprecedented race to redistrict early. Texas, Ohio, North Carolina, Utah, California, Missouri, Florida, and Virginia have all mocked-up new maps (some of which are tangled in court challenges). The hope is that by moving voters around, lawmakers can give one political party more of an edge. That process is called salamandering gerrymandering. 

Republicans currently hold a narrow 218-212 majority in the House with five vacancies, meaning if some states can redistrict strategically, they could help Republicans hold the House or Democrats swing it. 

How does gerrymandering work?
There are a couple of common strats:

States sometimes also move things around to force incumbents into the same district (hijacking) or move an incumbent into a different district where reelection is harder (kidnapping).

Are states even allowed to do this?
Technically, yes. Partisan gerrymandering is technically not illegal, and no federal law prohibits redistricting more often than every ten years, but every state has its own rules for who’s allowed to redistrict and how (you can learn more about that in this week’s TPO Explains episode). 

Several new maps are tangled up in courts right now while judges determine whether they played by the state rules.

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ABOVE ALL, LOVE
During any election season, it’s easy to focus on the shortcomings of our government, opponents, or nation and cast ourselves in the right. When we find ourselves grumbling about others, we must remember to check our own hearts. 

“Why do you look at the splinter in your brother’s eye but don’t notice the beam of wood in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the splinter out of your eye,’ and look, there’s a beam of wood in your own eye? Hypocrite! First take the beam of wood out of your eye, and then you will see clearly to take the splinter out of your brother’s eye.”
Matthew 7:3-5 (CSB) (read full passage)

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Checking your reading comprehension skills with this week’s mini crossword.

Straight zoomin' but make it mini…

A planner that points to Christ. Started by TPO reader Jennifer B., Just Pure Lovely believes calendars are silent witnesses in the moments we feel overwhelmed. That’s why these planners were created to help you stay organized and Christ-focused, whatever season you’re in.*

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Top Newsy Link: Pics from King Charles’s visit to the White House.

Top Resource: Ya’ll have been clickin’ our Moms, Dads, and Grads guide. Get those orders in!

Top Christian Perspective: A prayer for this broken, fractured world (originally shared after the shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner). Download and save it here.

Top Whipped Cream: I mean, who DOESN’T enjoy a good solar-panel cleaning?

How I’m Starting Every Day
With The Worship Initiative’s Sing devotional*

I am no musician (#notachurchchoirgal), but I do love to sing. Actually, few things help me focus on the goodness of God more than a rich worship song. That’s why The Worship Initiative’s Sing devotional has become my favorite addition to my quiet time. 

Sing brings Sunday morning worship into my everyday life. Each devotional helps me experience and remember truth by breaking down a song and weaving it together with Scripture. It’s a simple daily rhythm that roots God’s Word deep in my heart. 

God designed us to sing. Sign up with your phone number, and they’ll text you a free devo link every morning. Let’s praise God together today!

Katherine Anne Thierfelder | Choir Member Writer

A Prayer of Confession

Almighty and Merciful God, You are near to the brokenhearted and contrite, calling mourners and the meek blessed. Yet I regularly refuse to grieve and be humbled by my brokenness. I look away from my weakness and sin, distracted by the noise in the world and in my heart.

Convicting Spirit, slow me down and shine Your light on the dark places in me. As I face my weakness, show me Your strength. Create a new heart in me that hates what lures me away and longs for that which brings me close to You. 

Savior Jesus, come quickly to save me; I am pursued by constant temptations. Deliver me from the sin that entangles, and cleanse me from the earthly habits that quench Your Spirit. Amen.

Want to keep praying with us? Praying the News, TPO’s Saturday afternoon newsletter, offers a Scripture-focused prayer over one headline every week. Join us here.

Each week, we do the deep shallow dive so that you don’t have to. We bring what we learn to this email, and we sit down in the office and talk about it.

This week, you can test whether you can tell a real congressional district from a random doodle (Joe couldn't). Just click the episode below!

(You’ll still get our M/W/F news)