Gerrymandering: a tribute

[Elok]

With U.S. elections coming up so soon, I just thought we should have a thread to remind us why so much of it is so horribly futile. For starters, check out Maryland's Third Congressional District, recently redrawn after the last census to look even more like it was drawn by a severe epileptic with the DTs:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/MD/3

Be sure to check out the 2010 and 2012 versions. The first is more aesthetically pleasing IMO, but I like the new one (singled out in an editorial in yesterday's WaPo) for its still-more flagrant disrespect for the basic principles of democracy. That magnificent SOB covers four separate counties plus Baltimore city.

Now, feel free to share your favorite examples. Note that I didn't specify "American Gerrymandering." Any and all sleazy displays of electoral map-mutilation are welcome here, from Japanese districts covering three or more large islands to German ones that link loyal voters via the Autobahn. Though I imagine that this is one area where the U.S. still has a good chance of being number one. And Maryland is supposedly the worst in the nation. Hooray for my state!

[Hauldren Collider]

Maryland

[regexcellent]

The city of Rochester and city of Buffalo are in the same congressional district, connected by a tiny spit of land along Lake Ontario, while the surrounding (very conservative) suburbs are in their own districts.

[Elok]

You're just mad 'cuz VA's are all boring, HC. North Carolina brings a little more to the table. Check out NC-3:

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NC/3

Looks like a seriously deformed fetus. Why, yes, it is represented by a Republican...

XPost; Reg, NY-28 looks like it was a fine example, but sadly has been done away with for 2012.

http://www.govtrack.us/congress/members/NY/28

[Hauldren Collider]

VA's aren't all boring. There's a majority black district (the 3rd) that Dept of Justice forces us to have that snakes along the corridor between Norfolk and Richmond.

[-Jrabbit]

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present the Illinois 4th Congressional District:

The 4th Congressional District of Illinois includes part of Cook County, and has been represented by Democrat Luis Gutierrez since January 1993.

It was featured by The Economist as one of the most strangely drawn and gerrymandered congressional districts in the country and has been nicknamed "earmuffs" due to its shape. It was created to contain two majority Hispanic parts of Chicago.

This district covers two strips running east-west across the city of Chicago on the west side, continuing into smaller portion of some suburban areas in Cook County, surrounding Illinois' 7th congressional district. The northern portion is largely Puerto Rican, while the southern portion is heavily Mexican. The two sections are on opposite sides of the city and are only connected by a piece of Interstate 294 to the west; the highway is in the district while the surrounding areas are not. It is the smallest congressional district in area outside of New York City and San Francisco.

[giblets]

We might as well change the House to proportional representation. At least then your vote would have some relevance.

[Hauldren Collider]

I'd rather it be proportional at the state level. I don't want to vote for California Republicans. It also wouldn't require a constitutional amendment.

[regexcellent]

Currently wondering how your vote means nothing, especially if your district isn't heavily gerrymandered.

It would be pretty simple for state governments to make their representation proportional. I'm wary of proportional representation over the entire country because a) it prevents states from running their own elections, thus sending more power to the feds and b) it might enable way too much of a fractured government, when our government is actually pretty fractured already.

[giblets]

Currently wondering how your vote means nothing, especially if your district isn't heavily gerrymandered.

How many people actually live in districts that aren't gerrymandered? Some people get to live in swing states, but that doesn't mean the electoral college isn't a lousy system.

[Felch]

No on Question 5

[regexcellent]

Elok seems to be saying that Virginia isn't heavily gerrymandered except to the amount required by federal law. It's a pretty big state.

[Hauldren Collider]

How many people actually live in districts that aren't gerrymandered? Some people get to live in swing states, but that doesn't mean the electoral college isn't a lousy system.

This has nothing to do with the electoral college. We're talking about the house of representatives.

[giblets]

This has nothing to do with the electoral college. We're talking about the house of representatives.

Do you understand the concept of an example?

[Lonestar]

VA's aren't all boring. There's a majority black district (the 3rd) that Dept of Justice forces us to have that snakes along the corridor between Norfolk and Richmond.

What? Neither Surry, PG, Charles City or New Kent could be described as "majority black".


VAs districts are more or less "compact and uniform", as described by the state constitution. Compared to 90% of other states districts, VA-3 is a paragon of asanity.