Arnold Schwarzenegger, the Hollywood legend and former Republican Governor of California, has delivered a blistering critique of partisan gerrymandering, branding it a "corrosive" threat to American democracy.
'A rigged system'
The Terminator star didn't mince words as he accused politicians of manipulating electoral boundaries to entrench their power. "When politicians choose their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians, that's not democracy - that's a rigged system," Schwarzenegger declared.
Targeting Newsom
While not naming current Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom directly, Schwarzenegger's remarks appeared aimed at California's redistricting process. The state's independent redistricting commission has faced criticism from both parties, though Schwarzenegger himself championed its creation during his governorship.
Nationwide problem
The actor-politician highlighted how gerrymandering has become a toxic bipartisan issue across America. "It doesn't matter if it's Republicans in Texas or Democrats in California - both sides are guilty of rigging the game," he stated.
Call to action
Schwarzenegger urged voters to demand reform, proposing three key solutions:
- Independent redistricting commissions in every state
- Transparent mapping criteria prioritizing communities over politics
- Stronger legal protections against partisan map manipulation
The former governor's intervention comes as the Supreme Court considers several high-profile gerrymandering cases that could reshape American elections for decades.
