Texas legislators offered “refuge” by Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker? And Texas Gov. Greg Abbott issuing civil arrest warrants for these same state Democrats?

All this sounds very strange to many Americans, even if they understand the potential impact of five new Republican seats in the U.S. House that could be generated from an effort to redraw the Texas electoral map.

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A little more historical context might help, reminding us how far back in American history accusations of biased redistricting (aka “gerrymandering”) really go.

1. Why such a strange word?

In 1812, Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry — a signer of the Declaration of Independence — signed a bill that redrew the state senate election districts to benefi

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