Gerrymandering
(Above: Maryland’s famously
gerrymandered 3rd Congressional District)
Each Congressperson
speaks for one
congressional district
Representative
Bobby Bright
(D-AL 2nd District)
Elements of Incumbent
Advantage
• Members of Congress are re-elected at a rate of 80-90%
• Despite Congress’ consistently dismal approval ratings
(currently @ 15% favorable)
• Why?
• 1) Name Recognition
• 2) Easier Access to Campaign Funds
o Via Lobbyists and PACs
• 3) Pork Barrel Legislation
o Earmarks, riders, amendments, and other legislation that “brings
home the bacon” (Federal money) to a Congressman’s district
• 4) Franking Privilege
o Ability to mail unlimited campaign materials to constituents
• 5) *GERRYMANDERING*
Population
Population
“Apportionment”
“Redistricting”
State Legislatures
“Redistricting”
“Redistricting”
“Gerrymandering”
Maryland’s
rd
3
District
North Carolina’s
District
th
12
Florida’s
th
5
District
Are there any
limits on
gerrymandering
?
Baker v. Carr
Wesberry v. Sanders
Shaw v. Reno
Easley v. Cromartie
When states redraw the
congressional map the districts
they create must be:
· COMPACT
· CONTIGUOUS
· EQUAL POPULATION
(No
Malapportionment;
“One man, one vote”)
The Redistricting Game
•
•
•
•
Instructions
Go to www.redistrictinggame.org
Complete Mission 1 (Basic): Fundamentals
Complete Mission 2 (Basic): Partisan Gerrymander
• The instructions within each mission should be selfexplanatory, but let me know if you need any help.
• Have fun!!