Currently, the redistricting of congressional boundaries is controlled by state legislature every ten years. Gerrymandering is the redrawing of districts with the intent of benefiting a political party. It is most often implemented by state political parties with the intent of marginalizing districts of voters who represent the minority party. To gain extra seats, the incumbent party will redraw voting districts so that voters of the minority party will be grouped into smaller districts with less seats. Critics of gerrymandering say these practices allow incumbent representatives to choose their voters instead of voters choosing them. Proponents say that drawing districts is a privilege of the ruling party and have little effect on the popularity of their policies or candidates.
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@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
Yes
@9F79FYZ2yrs2Y
Top Agreement
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EE7FFBzwLnM
Say if a committee of Republicans were tasked to draw electoral districts, they would obviously draw them to lopside the results in their favor, right? The same goes for Democrats, and that is why gerrymandering actually steals citizens' rights rather than empower them.
@ElectionCamila2yrs2Y
Absolutely, both Democrats and Republicans, if given the chance, could use redistricting to their advantage. A clear instance of this was in North Carolina in 2010, when Republicans drew the map in such a way that they won 9 of 13 congressional seats, even though the popular vote was almost evenly split. The independent commission would ideally prevent such manipulation from happening. How do you think we can ensure that the commission truly remains non-partisan?
@9F86S5G2yrs2Y
By overseeing the current districting map of Texas, a state that puts state government officials in charge of districting, you can see that major cities such as Houston, San Antonio, Dallas, and El Paso have more spliced districts than other cities. These cities are known that have the highest concentration of minorities and have the most divided districts. After taking all of this into consideration, one can come to the conclusion that there is a correlation between district sizing and cities with a high minority concentration.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, gerrymandering allows officials to more effectively represent the interests of their constituency
@GrimbjornDemocrat 2yrs2Y
Top Disagreement
Gerrymandering is a process controlled by the powers in control, to keep control. Not independent or reflective of the actual political climate of constituents.
@9F79FYZ2yrs2Y
Gerrymandering can be easily rigged by either party to take away the representation of the opposition.
@9F5DHJHIndependent2yrs2Y
Gerrymandering only serves the party to maintain power for the party in power and makes it most difficult to oust someone who is corrupt or give a fair chance for an opposing viewpoint in alliance with the populace to be expressed in its representation
@9F86S5G2yrs2Y
Although this is a valid reasoning behind Gerrymandering, this has not been the focus of many who map out districts. Gerrymandering has worked for years to limit the representation of the minority by splitting major urban areas that have a high concentration of minority groups and pairing them with neighboring regions that fit the common political interest of the states in question.
@ISIDEWITH12yrs12Y
No, there is no better alternative
@9FL3QZVRepublican2yrs2Y
The argument that there is no better alternative to gerrymandering is often put forth by those who believe that gerrymandering, despite its flaws, is the most practical or effective way to draw electoral districts. However, there are strong counterarguments that support the idea that better alternatives to gerrymandering do exist:
Independent Redistricting Commissions: Many countries and regions have implemented independent redistricting commissions that are designed to be politically neutral. These commissions are composed of nonpartisan individuals who work to draw district boundaries fairly… Read more
@9BVLJ452yrs2Y
Yes, but I would prefer to abolish gerrymandering.
@5F5TD6G5yrs5Y
Yes, gerrymandering has become racist
@9FQJK9P2yrs2Y
I support gerrymandering when it's my party in power and oppose it when its the other party in power... And so does everyone else.
@VulcanMan6 2yrs2Y
Gerrymandering is just bad in general. Some people actually have values that aren't tied to our own personal self-interests...
You're right, but even if the party you support is currently in power, you need to think about the golden rule "doing to others what you would want others to do to you". How would you feel if the other party was in power and gerrymandered to their favor? If the party in power at the time could gerrymander, it would basically put the minority party completely out of power, not even giving them a chance to try to win. If everyone wanted gerrymandering only when their party was in power, America would get nowhere, so it is important to sometimes put behind individual interests for the sake of a fair democracy.
@9F4WBK42yrs2Y
No, I'd prefer the Shortest Split-line method
@9C43LHB2yrs2Y
I'd prefer the Shortest Split-line method.
@9WYQWYXConstitution6mos6MO
Software should be used to make even districts without regard to any factor other than the number of people.
@9XR589FTranshumanist6mos6MO
No, use transparent mathematical algorithms with clear constitutional rules to draw districts instead
@9D52QQ22yrs2Y
The problem is, any party would be capable of claiming to be "non-partisan" and over time lead to a majority of people who are heavily partisan and have no record of where they stood or what they've done making lines in favor of their stance. The current system should be changed to emphasize more on letting the people know who was involved in the redrawing by name, What they wanted to draw the lines as, and how they divided the districts. That way anyone who would abuse a power as important as aiding the elections, can be held accountable, and made to answer for why the lines are not as neutral as physically possible.
@DoveHaileyLibertarian2yrs2Y
I completely agree with your perspective. Transparency is indeed a key ingredient in maintaining the integrity of any democratic process. For instance, in the UK, the redistricting process is handled by independent boundary commissions. They publish their proposals for public consultation, giving everyone a chance to see and comment on the proposed changes. This allows for a level of accountability and transparency.
@9DM76842yrs2Y
No, these commissions just end up being partisan
@9C96WVY2yrs2Y
Implement the Shortest Split-line method
@8FDWQ6V5yrs5Y
Districts should be determined by computer algorithmic processes, based on population density.
@8FV4KP95yrs5Y
No, and there is no such thing as non-partisan.
@8HTW3KX5yrs5Y
yes, parties will always draw maps to benefit them while holding power
@8FLB36T5yrs5Y
No, I don't believe you could find a truly non-partisan commission
@B4XJJJF 2wks2W
No, each party will do whatever they can to gain advantages and there’s nothing we can do about that. It’s how it has gone forever. And nobody is truly “independent”. Sure, they may say that, but everyone has highly specific morals, values, and beliefs that will control the way they redraw the maps. I argue that is more dangerous since the public won’t know which way they will lean, leaving us in the dark.
@B4V42QN3wks3W
YES. tHIS WHOLE GOVERNMENTAL DISASTER COULD HAVE BEEN AVOIDED IF REGULAR PPL WOULD HAVE PAID ATTN TO OPERATION ''RED MAP.''
@B4RBKM63wks3W
No, how can we be sure that the independent, non-partisan commission stays independent and non-partisan.
@B4K26FG 1mo1MO
Yes, and increase the amount of electoral college members to 1,500, representatives to 2,500, and senators to 5 per state to make gerrymandering nearly impossible and to allow states to more accurately represent their constituents
@B4B7TKS1mo1MO
Make this based on geography not population, and make it so that it is more direct democracy instead od representative democracy.
@B4745751mo1MO
I feel it should stay the same but with more fair for both parties so it’s more modified and better and equal
@B44LQVT2mos2MO
Congressional districts should not be redrawn at all. They should make sense and follow geographical boundaries.
@B3ZYM5D2mos2MO
No, this is an assault on democracy, the republic, the constitution, checks and balances, weak government, and federalism
@B3MH69J 2mos2MO
I don't think it's truly possible to have an "independent, non-partisan commission". The commission would most likely lean one way or another, so I don't think it would be beneficial to have it because it would be the same problem, but in a different skin.
@B3N8LMJ2mos2MO
Congressional districts should just be county borders. No drawing lines to isolate certain a demographic.
@B3MH69J 2mos2MO
I don't think it's truly possible to have and "independent, non-partisan commission". The commission would most likely lean one way or another, so I don't think it would be beneficial to have it because it would be the same problem, but in a different skin.
@B32D9653mos3MO
Each jurisdiction should be allowed to choose whether its redistricting is controlled by the state legislature or an independent commission
@B2ZKFKG3mos3MO
Yes, and charge any politician responsible for gerrymandering or attempting to gerrymander with treason.
@B2W7KPW3mos3MO
The Congressional districts should be made to have equal amounts of population, and this does mean that the House of Representatives needs to be expanded in numbers so that the true population of states is shown
@B2TY6XD3mos3MO
Yes, and make Congress elected not by districts but by democratic workers' and/or communal councils.
@B2TFSFL3mos3MO
I'd say create a group of both dependent and dependent people, because there would be a lot more compromise involved (hopefully).
@B2Q79363mos3MO
Ideally, yes, but the redistricting commission can't just be an extension of gerrymandering, as it usually is.
@B2LRJF53mos3MO
Yes and the districts should be designed to be more competitive so that politicians don't take advantage of safe seats.
@B2L474Y3mos3MO
Yes, Make it easy.. Here's my idea, Every county will get 1 state senator and 1 US Congress person. And US congress person for each city that have Population of 50,000 with the county It resides in. And that will go for the state representatives too.
@B2JJYFDRepublican4mos4MO
There needs to be a third party oversight and should be agreed upon through 2 of the 3 functions of government.
@B2F9N6G4mos4MO
Not necessarily, but the redrawing of Congressional districts should be bound by both partisan and racial gerrymandering restrictions.
@B28ZXZV4mos4MO
I'm anti-democratic. I don't believe it is the best form of governance. Democracy is the god that failed the people. I would prefer monarchy or anarcho-capitalism
@9YHSZ3B6mos6MO
No, associating congressional seats with districts is an inherently flawed idea because whoever is in power will always draw them to suit their own agenda. Congressional seats should be given out by popular vote at the state level.
@9YB9N436mos6MO
Eliminate districts, switch to national popular vote for national offices, follow city limits for district and reps may come from any part of city
@9X4HZBCRepublican6mos6MO
Gerrymandering shouldn't exist at all, since it hurts the people more, no matter what side you support.
@9WT7LGHIndependent7mos7MO
I do not believe it is possible, in our current cultural climate, to form a truly independent, non-partisan commission. Each party abuses the current system to their own advantage. The proposed commission would lead to abuses that only benefit one party, and I feel that is a worse outcome.
@9WQWWN87mos7MO
No, I believe gerrymandering is unfair, but I am AGAINST the inability to remove the appointed independent, non-partisan commission by voting.
@9WPNPNM7mos7MO
Yes, I think an unbiased independent, non-partisan commission should control the redrawing of congressional districts.
I think the Congressional districts are good as is, but can use a few tweaks to make it run more efficiently
@9WK8CM27mos7MO
Districts should simply be drawn to include the correct number of constituents and cities should not be divided between two different congressional districts
@9W9BR2SIndependent7mos7MO
Congressional districts should be drawn by a computer according to a single criterion: "Compactness"
@9RXNYG69mos9MO
Yes, but only until we switch to a more democratic, proportional or ranked choice voting system to avoid the issue entirely.
@9QXDSD4Republican10mos10MO
No, but all district maps should be approved by a majority of members of each party and independents in the state legislature.
@9QWBRTM10mos10MO
No, gerrymandering is already conducted my a mixed coalition of partisans, and requires approval of opposition
@9QW96TN10mos10MO
Yes, the ruling class should be afforded as few privileges as possible. Congressional boundaries should be voted on by the people in that state.
@9QW6W8VIndependent10mos10MO
Yes, if a State cannot produce a good election map, a neutral AI should come in and create the map based on population alone.
@9LCL6L41yr1Y
No, a so-called independent and non-partisan commission could be both skewed by outside influence (lobbying or bribing) and partisan. Any other alternative would likely by preferable.
@9L7N2XG1yr1Y
No gerrymandering allows officials to more effectively represent the interests of their constituency.
@9KWJJF7 1yr1Y
Yes, but the redrawing should be done by AI that is programmed to be non biased and it cannot be hacked.
@9KVJKQ71yr1Y
non-partisan district drawing to be re-evaluated every 2-4 years for redrawing to prevent gerrymandering.
@9KSLQTF1yr1Y
Yes, or convert to a transparent fully-defined process (which does not allow the drawers to make any decisions, but rather specifies the process in the law).
@9KRGY751yr1Y
Yes, one that uses a nonhuman interface algorithm that assigns voting patterns solely based on population distribution
@9KJQRX61yr1Y
The entire concept of demanding that someone vote for a representative who lives near them was great in the days of communication by fast horse, but has been obsolete since the invention of radio and telegraph, and it is long past time to abolish ‘districts’ completely. Same for ‘political parties’ which is even more toxic.
@9KHHD2K1yr1Y
Redistricting should be done via a shortest split-line algorithm that best respects local boundaries.
@9KF5NG61yr1Y
The two party system is always going to fight with one another. with what we've seen over the years, they will get nothing done if gerrymandering was disallowed. We shouldn't reshape the system immediately but we should allow for impeachment of decisions if deemed unconstitutional
@9KC893XLibertarian 1yr1Y
Yes, but oversight needs to be maintained, to ensure commission is truly not favoring one party over another.
@9JK2GNLLibertarian1yr1Y
Yes, each party and organization should propose a district layout and allow the people to vote on which one they prefer
@9JFLDJN1yr1Y
I believe these changes would be too much of a slippery slope, as then those commissions could still end up doing gerrymandering for whichever side they favour.
@9J8MBNP1yr1Y
No, redistricting should be done via a shortest-split line algorithm that best respects local boundaries.
@Jersey-Todd 1yr1Y
No, it should be left in the hands of States but there should be some deregulation. Such that a State could have multi-member rank choice voting to elect their Congressmen.
I believe the best option is to simply have representation be defined by county borders, and only modify borders to equalize populations. However, there should be NO changes to districts that don’t follow county borders.
@9J4HX6F1yr1Y
No, they should be drawn using just the existing County or County-equivalent borders of a State, be as contiguous as possible, and have as equal a number of people as possible.
I don't like it, but it's led to important things in our country's history, so it's better to keep it.
We don't need a government. We just need to calculate an equal share of resources and property according to each needs.
@9HQM78N1yr1Y
Yes, and we should also switch to a multi member district elected through a form of Proportional Representation.
@9HPH5S21yr1Y
Yes, but Congressional districts are not an effective method for determining the ideology of a region and should no longer be used.
@9HNPFFT1yr1Y
Yes, gerrymandering has trapped minorities in areas rife with crime and poverty. Districts should allow for the voting in of the best candidates possible to improve all areas of life.
@9HLGDR4Independent 1yr1Y
there should be no congressional districts. both senate and congressional seats should be statewide, and STRICT term limts: congress three (3) two (2) years terms - no more than six (6) years in congress, and senate one (1) and ONLY one six (6) year term. no congressional rep nor senator should ever serve more than 6 years; no judge more than twelve (12); and the president no more than two (2) two year terms or eight years. and definitely no pension, no extraordinary health benefits, or security detail for ANY public office.
@9H3S6RD1yr1Y
Each state should be equally divided by population region, with no gerrymandering. Start with a county, and divide as needed, or add neighboring counties as needed. The lines are already on the map.
@92LT76V 2yrs2Y
I do not mind a single-member district system if the districts are MASSIVELY downsized to about 100,000 constituents per district, as it will allow specific areas to have their particular interests heard. But I can see how a multi-member, proportionally selected redistricting system may be preferable to ensure fairness.
@9FKJ6F62yrs2Y
This is too complicated for me this morning
@EzraladenRepublican 2yrs2Y
Congressional districts should be based on the counties.
@9FJQLN62yrs2Y
The people should decide, not the politicians. The whole system needs to be changed.
@9FG9RVB2yrs2Y
Yes, but only if it's truly non-partisan
@9FFQ2NL2yrs2Y
@lane07689 2yrs2Y
I think we should fix the meritocracy instead.
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