Gerrymandering
and Incumbent
Advantage
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
Each Congressperson
speaks for one
congressional district
Representative
Bobby Bright
(D-AL 2nd District)
Population
Population
“Apportionment”
“Redistricting”
State Legislatures
“Redistricting”
“Gerrymandering”
Gerrymandering- A practice that attempts to establish a political advantage for a
particular party manipulating district boundaries to create “safe districts” for one
party
“Gerrymander”
“Gerrymander”
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”)