By law, legislative redistricting isn’t supposed to be a partisan process. In practice, it almost always is. This fundamental building block of our democracy is flawed because it has been so badly abused by the people drawing the lines.

Congressional districts must be of nearly equal population; legislative districts must be “substantially” equal in size and as compact as possible. They’re not supposed to be racially polarized. In reality, politicians of both parties generally work together to make sure that incumbents are protected. Party is less important than job protection.

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Read More: St. Louis Post Dispatch, Dec. 18, 2016