This article by Alyce McFadden is published by the Center for Responsive Politics. Here is an excerpt:

How congressional districts are drawn can change political outcomes for a decade. But the redistricting process is opaque and open to the influence of a complicated network of “dark money” groups. 

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the maps that decide the makeup of congressional and state districts. In 42 states, it is controlled by elected state-level politicians. That means that in all but eight states, whichever party controls the state capitol will also have the final say over how congressional districts are drawn. This cycle, the stakes could not be higher. Democrats control the House of Representatives by just 10 members, and even a few minor changes to existing congressional districts could secure GOP control over the lower chamber for years to come.

In a campaign to “flip everything,” the Democratic Legislative Redistricting Committee set — and exceeded — a $50 million fundraising goal in an attempt to gain ground in legislatures across the country. Their efforts didn’t pay off. Partisan control changed in only one state, New Hampshire, where Republicans flipped the state house from blue to red. Currently, Republicans control 54 percent of state legislative seats nationwide, and Democrats command 45 percent, according to the National Conference of State Legislatures. 

Read the full article here.