January 21, 2026
Beyond Gerrymandering: A Program to Protect Democracy in 2026
Samuel Wang
Founding Director of the Electoral Innovation Lab at Princeton University
Beyond Gerrymandering: A Program to Protect Democracy in 2026
Samuel Wang
Founding Director of the Electoral Innovation Lab at Princeton University
George Bustin, introducer, and Samuel Wang
Minutes of the 15th Meeting of the 84th Year
President George Bustin called the 15th meeting of the 84th year of The Old Guard of Princeton to order at The Jewish Center. Frances Slade led the invocation. Julie Elward-Berry read the minutes from the January 14 meeting. Dr. Charles Clark brought his grandson Russell Clark as his guest, and there were 119 in attendance.
George Bustin introduced the speaker, Sam Wang, professor of neuroscience at Princeton University and founder of the Electoral Innovation Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening democratic systems. Professor Wang's presentation, which included an extensive Q&A session, focused on the ongoing challenges facing American democracy, particularly around the issue of gerrymandering.
Key Highlights from Professor Wang’s Talk
Contemporary Challenges: Professor Wang emphasized that the current state of the nation presents scenarios that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. He described American democracy as "rickety" and highlighted the critical role science and data play in understanding its current condition
The Second Gilded Age: Drawing parallels to the first Gilded Age (1876-1900), Professor Wang pointed to technological disruption, rising inequality, racial divisions, and intense partisanship as defining features of today’s era. He noted that, similar to the past, candidates can win the presidency via the Electoral College while losing the popular vote.
Political Stalemate and Voter Demographics: Professor Wang reported that 46% of Americans now identify as independents, while only 27% each align with either the Republican or Democratic parties. This shift has led to political stalemate and a decline in electoral competition.
Gerrymandering Trends: The presentation covered the evolution of gerrymandering, beginning at the founding of the United States when Patrick Henry attempted to redraw a district in Virginia to prevent his rival, James Madison, from winning a seat in the first U.S. Congress. Gerrymandering’s primary purpose is to manipulate electoral district boundaries to give a political party an advantage over its opponents. This year President Trump urged Texas to undertake redistricting to gain seats, but it may not get the results Republicans wanted because of intrastate population shifts.
While Republicans initiated these strategies, Democrats have adopted similar tactics in other states. In California, for example, competitive districts have been reduced from nine to two. Gerrymandering will likely lead to further polarization and governmental destabilization. Despite widespread gerrymandering this year, Professor Wang predicts only a net change of one district.
Impact on Elections: With fewer competitive districts, primary elections effectively determine general election outcomes. In New Jersey’s 12th district, the retirement of the incumbent resulted in 16 candidates entering the race. The Democratic primary is expected to decide the ultimate winner, as the district is the third most Democratic in the state.
Youth Voters and Redistricting Commissions: While a growing segment of the electorate is younger and more flexible in their political views, Professor Wang argued this will not significantly alter election results. He also highlighted the diminishing relevance of binding commissions for redistricting, as governors or state legislatures can overturn their decisions.
Path Forward: Professor Wang asserted that only a federal law prohibiting mid-decade gerrymandering could address the issue, though such legislation is not currently anticipated.
Professor Wang addressed questions from Old Guard members, weaving his responses into the broader discussion. He offered insights into the causes and consequences of gerrymandering, the shifting demographics of the electorate, and the challenges of electoral reform.
Toward the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Wang posed a unique question to the group: Should he become the 17th candidate in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th district? The members responded positively, and Professor Wang invited them to sign a petition supporting his
effort.
Respectfully submitted,
John F. Kelsey, III
George Bustin introduced the speaker, Sam Wang, professor of neuroscience at Princeton University and founder of the Electoral Innovation Lab, a nonprofit dedicated to strengthening democratic systems. Professor Wang's presentation, which included an extensive Q&A session, focused on the ongoing challenges facing American democracy, particularly around the issue of gerrymandering.
Key Highlights from Professor Wang’s Talk
Contemporary Challenges: Professor Wang emphasized that the current state of the nation presents scenarios that would have been unimaginable just a few years ago. He described American democracy as "rickety" and highlighted the critical role science and data play in understanding its current condition
The Second Gilded Age: Drawing parallels to the first Gilded Age (1876-1900), Professor Wang pointed to technological disruption, rising inequality, racial divisions, and intense partisanship as defining features of today’s era. He noted that, similar to the past, candidates can win the presidency via the Electoral College while losing the popular vote.
Political Stalemate and Voter Demographics: Professor Wang reported that 46% of Americans now identify as independents, while only 27% each align with either the Republican or Democratic parties. This shift has led to political stalemate and a decline in electoral competition.
Gerrymandering Trends: The presentation covered the evolution of gerrymandering, beginning at the founding of the United States when Patrick Henry attempted to redraw a district in Virginia to prevent his rival, James Madison, from winning a seat in the first U.S. Congress. Gerrymandering’s primary purpose is to manipulate electoral district boundaries to give a political party an advantage over its opponents. This year President Trump urged Texas to undertake redistricting to gain seats, but it may not get the results Republicans wanted because of intrastate population shifts.
While Republicans initiated these strategies, Democrats have adopted similar tactics in other states. In California, for example, competitive districts have been reduced from nine to two. Gerrymandering will likely lead to further polarization and governmental destabilization. Despite widespread gerrymandering this year, Professor Wang predicts only a net change of one district.
Impact on Elections: With fewer competitive districts, primary elections effectively determine general election outcomes. In New Jersey’s 12th district, the retirement of the incumbent resulted in 16 candidates entering the race. The Democratic primary is expected to decide the ultimate winner, as the district is the third most Democratic in the state.
Youth Voters and Redistricting Commissions: While a growing segment of the electorate is younger and more flexible in their political views, Professor Wang argued this will not significantly alter election results. He also highlighted the diminishing relevance of binding commissions for redistricting, as governors or state legislatures can overturn their decisions.
Path Forward: Professor Wang asserted that only a federal law prohibiting mid-decade gerrymandering could address the issue, though such legislation is not currently anticipated.
Professor Wang addressed questions from Old Guard members, weaving his responses into the broader discussion. He offered insights into the causes and consequences of gerrymandering, the shifting demographics of the electorate, and the challenges of electoral reform.
Toward the conclusion of the meeting, Professor Wang posed a unique question to the group: Should he become the 17th candidate in the Democratic primary for New Jersey’s 12th district? The members responded positively, and Professor Wang invited them to sign a petition supporting his
effort.
Respectfully submitted,
John F. Kelsey, III