Interesting case.
Of course, we know both parties do gerrymandering.
Ideally, congressional districts would be drawn so as to be as geographically compact as possible, regardless of which types of voters are inside the boundaries.
But, neither party draws the boundaries in this manner.
I think some states have non-partisan redistricting commissions which draw district lines. Having a non-partisan group, or even using computer technology to draw district lines so as to be equal in population and geographically compact, may be the best we can hope for.
“...I think some states have non-partisan redistricting commissions which draw district lines. Having a non-partisan group, or even using computer technology to draw district lines so as to be equal in population and geographically compact, may be the best we can hope for.”
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Good idea IN THEORY. However, in practice, it’s been my observation that these “non-partisan” commissions/groups always somehow end up dominated by ‘RATS & progressives and end up doing the ‘RATS work for them.
This should be simple. Start with the county lines then divide the larger counties in half and combine smaller counties until they get to about equal numbers.
The only real way to solve the problem is to insist that L^2/A must be less than a certain numerical value (e.g., 40), where L is the perimeter length in miles and A is the area in sq. miles.
Fascinating case indeed. I prefer the method that a few state now use a “committee” or “Board” to do it. But I can see how that is going to impact each State differently. Here in CA we have it and it is a GOOD thing because it helps the GOP. And here in CA we need that help.
I live in MD. The redistricting was the most assinine thing I ever saw.
The original district started with the westernmost county [Garrett], continued east into Washington County, and on into Frederick County up to the city of Frederick.
This is rural country and mostly conservative.
When they redistricted, they cut this continuity and placed a good portion of Montgomery County into the new district along with Garrett and Washington Counties. Needless to say, Montgomery County is mostly blue.
In the old district, you had a local guy who understood the needs, wants, and desires of the local populace in western Maryland. A DEM from Montgomery County won the last election and couldn’t give a fig about the western counties.