The Democratic Party is at a major Congressional disadvantage. What can be done about that?

[Garrett78]

Democrats are concentrated, while Republicans are widespread. This means, while Dems in the House may represent a greater portion of the population, there are far more Republican-friendly districts (this goes for the US House as well as state legislatures). And then there's gerrymandering, which has been declared unconstitutional but takes place anyway.

As for the Senate, well, Wyoming has the same number of Senators as California.

What, if anything, should the Democratic Party do about all that?

[nycbos]

1. We need to focus on state legislative races and governorships.

If we can control more state houses we will draw congressional lines for the new census in 2020.

[Garrett78]

4. Controlling state houses and the US House is a challenge for reasons mentioned in the OP.

Governorships and Senate races (and presumably the Presidency) are less of a challenge.

[nycbos]

8. Correct.

But we should start now planning for 2020 when the new census is done. When the lines get redrawn we might be able to take back state houses.

[guillaumeb]

2. This was the original intent of the Founders.

Two Senators per state was a compromise to give more power to the slave states. And the House has always favored rural over urban. So absent a Constitutional change, this is permanent. Small population states have no reason to tamper with their advantages. But the 41% of registered voters who did not vote are not necessarily all concentrated in urban areas.

[Garrett78]

5. One thing Dems can do is make a much bigger stink about gerrymandering.

As for 40% sitting out presidential elections and 60% sitting out mid-terms, that's the norm. And certainly not a new problem. Voter suppression accounts for some of that. Like you point out, not all are concentrated in urban areas. So, what should be done about that? How do Dems engage the disengaged?

[guillaumeb]

7. Sounds like a Zen riddle, does it not?

Engaging the dis-engaged.

Is it due to ignorance of the issues, or voter suppression, or inability to vote?

Studies show that likelihood of voting rises with income, so I feel that suppression and obstacles to voting play a big part. So does education. But that is the why of non-voting, not the how of encouraging engaging.

And the how is what we talk about here.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

3. showing up for midterm elections might be a good start.

[JI7]

6. focus on local and state election which is boring

But that's how california gets many liberal policies.

It's done at local levels and other areas adopt it and ends up being state law.