Partisan districting on the state level by the GOP has given control of the U.S. House of Representatives to the Republicans. To change that dynamic, many Democrats say their party should focus on gaining control of state legislatures so they can redistrict states in their favor. That's certainly one solution, but I believe there's a more just answer: take the redistricting process away from the parties and give it over to nonpartisan commissions ("Hogan wants redistricting reform; here's why Democrats should allow it," Dec. 31).
The benefits of such commissions would be significant. They would lead to more competitive districts and make incumbents more attentive to residents' needs out of a fear of they could lose a close election if voters felt poorly represented. Competitive districts might inspire more people to run for office, and they would result in the election of more moderate legislators. But perhaps most importantly, nonpartisan commissions would be one way to decrease the political noise that's making us deaf.
Martin H. Levinson, Forest Hills, N.Y.
