Click on any state to see the number of current seats it’s represented by in Congress (based on the 2010 Census population figures) and the change – if any – since 2000. The darker the shade of green, the greater the number of seats.
redistricting
RECENT POSTS
The Strange Geometry of Gerrymandering (redistricting’s dark side)
Includes: article; animation
A political cartoon from 1812 criticizing Massachusetts state senate electoral districts drawn by the legislature to favor candidates in Governor Elbridge Gerry's party. (Wikimedia Commons)
When lawmakers control the redistricting process – as they do in most states - self-interest inevitably plays a big role in how electoral maps are redrawn. It puts the power in the hands of incumbent legislators eager to squash political competition. A Republican lawmaker would likely want to redraw his own district to include as many Republican voters as possible; and vice-verse for a Dem. Continue reading
FILED UNDER: American History, Government, Law & Power, Video, gerrymandering, redistricting, video
Redistricting: Who Draws the Lines?
Includes: article, videos
U.S. Census Bureau
It seems relatively straightforward, right? Every 10 years the population changes and state government officials redraw district lines to make sure populations are equal.
No biggie.
Continue reading
FILED UNDER: American History, Government, Law & Power, Maps, Video, discrimination, maps, redistricting, representation, video
Redistricting Revealed: The Basics
Includes: article; video; maps
Wikimedia Commons
Welcome to the wild world of redistricting.
We’re in the heat of election season, so you’ve likely heard it mentioned a bunch recently. But how exactly does redistricting work? And, more importantly, why should you care?
Redistricting can be a pretty confusing process, and because it’s so complicated, a lot of voters don’t know much about it, or how it applies to them. But it has a pretty major impact on the power balance of our political system, and on how much your vote ends up counting on election day. Continue reading