Interesting article on gerrymandering

[wmw999 2,589]

In the NY Times editorial section. There's one fairly snarky partisan comment, but most of it looks pretty solid (and it's in the free part of the website). He provides links and some of his methodology.

Just food for thought. Using districts, particularly weird-shaped ones that are drawn by the political party in power, to maintain that power, is probably not what the Founding Fathers had in mind. Of course, they probably also didn't envision a strongly two-party system, either. More and more that seems to be driving us.

Minority districts are a form of gerrymandering too. Most of Texas' major cities have single-member districts, some of which are minority-majority districts. However, Dallas doesn't, and traditionally it has one seat that's Hispanic, and one seat that's African-American -- even though that, too, doesn't reflect Dallas' ethnic composition.

People are sneaky, and love to feel smarter than the system. Gaming it, or setting it up to favor what they'd like is just part of that, and it's really not that great a part.

Wendy P.

There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown)

[dmcoco84 5]

Quote

Of course, they probably also didn't envision a strongly two-party system, either.

Slap in the face to George Washington.

He directly addressed this: Farewell Address.

[dmcoco84 5]

Wow... screw this article.

Done reading after the first sentence.

"HAVING the first modern democracy comes with bugs"

[champu 1]

The electoral college system has kind of evolved into a gerrymandered state. Since it's only electing one person every four years, it usually doesn't end up mattering, but there are millions of people who vote for the minority party in "non-swing" states who are really just not improving their candidate's chances of winning.

It would be difficult to quantify, but it likely has an impact on the overall popular vote. I'm sure there are plenty of people in California, for instance, who don't even bother trying to vote for a republican president.