Unintentional Gerrymandering: Why Location Matters in Politics

摘要: In the 2012 election for United States House of Representatives, a plurality voters voted Democratic candidate, but despite this, Republican Party won majority races. There are several possible explanations this discrepancy, most notably partisan gerrymandering. However, with paper, I wanted to explore another explanation, one which has received little attention in comparison believe that “Unintentional Gerrymandering” is key reason discrepancy between votes and seats many elections, including Representatives election. Unintentional Gerrymandering occurs when each party distributed such way as give side structural advantage. Today, Democrats tend either live landslide districts, or they small communities surrounded by voters. This causes Republicans be over-represented Democrats. Because different choices make about where live, even truly nonpartisan redistricting process would result district map favors party. decided examine summarize literature concerning Gerrymandering, well discuss factors cause it. Finally, I’ve given suggestions how effects could mitigated. Introduction: Context was historic election, not just reasons people normally cite (such first re-election an African-American president, continuing demographic changes American electorate). Something strange happened on night, something showed limitations Single Member District First Past Post voting system, like ours. 48.5% vote, while 47.8% vote (Ornstein 2013 2-2). Despite fact fewer than Democrats, were able win (Republicans 234 seats, 201 seats). According July edition Vital Statistics Congress collaborated Enterprise Institute Brookings Institution, it only since began collecting data 1946 failed obtain seats. It’s very common our system elections disproportionate amount party, vast cases happens larger their popular share imply. Our tendency inflate majorities, time recorded history “losers” actually “won” (Drutman 2013). Two figures appendix (Ibid), put together Sunlight Foundation, illustrate historical context results. Figure 1 maps cumulative compares held 2 same