[JohnnyZ]

Gerrymandering is not illegal

I think it depends on the state. Some states have laws that mandate counties & precincts remain undivided, as much as is practicable.

[Dog Gone]

One of the objections to the map which will undoubtedly be reintroduced is that it divides cities like Houston and Austin among many congressmen.

The effect of that, of course, is that it divides liberal urban centers and dilutes them into districts more likely to elect a conservative.

Naturally, I see that as a plus, while Democrats hate it. But it has another benefit. Instead of having a couple of congressmen who represent a city, suddenly there are many. If anything, this makes the cities have more effective representation in Congress.