Orange County: gerrymander it, now that you can
California is the big state that took map-drawing away from politicians: since 2010 an independent citizens' commission has drawn its districts. Orange County, once the heart of Reagan country, is now a genuine battleground.
The commission's five Orange County districts, below, sit within a few points of even; that is roughly what a map looks like when nobody is trying to rig it. Then came 2025. After Texas redrew its map mid-decade to add Republican seats, California answered with Proposition 50: voters suspended the commission and let the legislature draw a new map to add Democratic seats, in force through 2030. For the first time in fifteen years, gerrymandering California is allowed again, and lines like these are up for grabs.
You are playing the Republicans. Orange County still has red suburbs inland. Pack the Democratic coast and stretch your seats far enough to win a majority of them.
Harris 49.7%, Trump 47.1%. Orange County's 2024 presidential vote.
Orange County's five commission-drawn districts, shaded by the 2024 vote. Four of the five sit within a few points of even.