The Point: Voters say *this* is the biggest election problem in the country

View this email in your browser   April 5, 2021  | by Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski Voters say *this* is the biggest election problem in the country Amid the ongoing fight over the recently passed Georgia election law -- and the subsequent decision by Major League Baseball to pull its All-Star Game out of Atlanta this summer --  you might reasonably conclude that efforts to restrict access to the ballot box would be the biggest election issue in the country.   Or if not voter disenfranchisement, then voter fraud -- particularly as former President Donald Trump continues to try to discredit the 2020 election despite zero actual evidence of fraud.   And you would be wrong! On both counts!   It's actually gerrymandering -- the drawing of outlandish legislative and congressional districts for purely political reasons -- that bugs people the most.    That's according to a new AP-NORC national poll, where two-thirds of Americans say that "states drawing legislative districts that intentionally favor one party" is a "major problem" in the country. That is far more than say that eligible voters being blocked from voting (46%) or non-eligible voters casting ballots (40%) are a "major problem" in US elections.    Interesting, no? After all, redistricting -- while hugely important -- doesn't draw near the headlines (or passions) of voter disenfranchisement or allegations of voter fraud.   So what gives? Well, while voter fraud and voter disenfranchisement are seen through purely partisan lenses (Democrats are broadly supportive of the latter as a major problem; ditto Republicans on the former), gerrymandered districts are a wrong that impacts both parties.   After all, when Democrats control the levers of powers in a state, history suggests they will seek to draw lines that maximize their numbers. Same goes for Republicans.   Gerrymandering is something all sides can hate. Which is why 74% of Democrats, 60% of Republicans and 63% of independents all say that it's a major problem in the AP/NORC poll.    Public opinion may well explain why the number of states that use either independent or bipartisan committees to redraw legislative and congressional district lines is on the rise in recent years.   The Point: Who says redistricting -- and gerrymandering -- is too nerdy for the average person to care about???   -- Chris QUOTE OF THE DAY "I'd be open to it, but not what I think they're peddling." -- Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell did say that there is room to get Republican buy-in on infrastructure legislation if Democrats break up the package and go for a "more modest approach" with a plan for how to pay for it. YES, THIS IS REAL For the right price, 14 lucky Colorado drivers can show their love for the state's legal green.   Colorado is now auctioning rights for official state license plates with phrases like "BONG," "GANJA," and "ISIT420." All revenue will go toward the Colorado Disability Fund, according to the auction website.    Bidders are warned: "DON'T DRIVE HIGH! PLEASE USE CANNABIS RESPONSIBLY, WITHIN THE LIMITS OF ALL COLORADO LAWS."   Colorado legalized recreational marijuana in 2012 and since then has seen an explosion of growth in the business. In 2019, the state's industry made a record $1.75 billion in sales, according to Colorado Department of Revenue data.   Bidding on the 14 different plates is open until 4:20 p.m. Mountain time on April 20. CHRIS' GOOD READS Bipartisanship is going to get even harder now   "The 45th" Fox's lawyer   How hating the media became a core belief for Republicans   Liz Cheney #winning   What narwhal horns can teach us   How Stanford won MUSICAL INTERLUDE Waxahatchee (aka Katie Crutchfield) covering Lucinda Williams' "Fruits of My Labor" and Bruce Springsteen's "Streets of Philadelphia?" Uh, yes please. Today's episode: Vaccine passports' tricky politics. YE OLDE TRIVIA Question: On this day in 1792, George Washington exercised what presidential power for the first time?   a. Veto b. Pardon c. Visit to Camp David d. War declaration   Send your answers to cillizza@cnn.com and lauren.dezenski@cnn.com!    ONE BIG PANDEMIC EASTER BUNNY President Joe Biden, first lady Jill Biden and a masked Easter Bunny marked Easter at the White House on Monday. This year's festivities were canceled because of Covid-19, though Biden said he looks forward to an Easter Egg Roll next year, "God willing." You are receiving this message because you subscribed to CNN's The Point with Chris Cillizza newsletter. Unsubscribe from this list Check out other CNN Newsletters Create your CNN Account Share the Point Newsletter Was this email forwarded to you? Sign up now to get The Point in your inbox.   Send your tips and thoughts via email to Chris Cillizza and Lauren Dezenski. You can follow Chris and Lauren on Twitter and connect with The Point on: Our mailing address is: One CNN Center Atlanta, GA 30303   Copyright © 2021 Cable News Network, Inc., All rights reserved.

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