As I look at the political landscape this electoral season, I am reminded of the pitched battles that took place here in Texas over redistricting. The Constitution calls only for a census to be taken every ten years, and the Congressional districts realigned to match that census. Nothing more. Everything else returns to the States for implementation.
Gerrymandering is a tool of the political class in this country, and it flows for both major parties. In particular, it is meant to protect an incumbent, or to provide for an anticipated majority from one party or another in a particular district. In Congressional races, it has become almost prophetic–only four of the 435 incumbents were defeated in 2002.
Iowa is one state which has eliminated the politics of redistricting almost completely. Iowa now has five Congressional districts, all of which are competitive except for the western portion of the state. It is pretty solidly Republican. But that’s okay, because the districts were determined without any reference to the voting patterns, religion, or race of a particular area. The lines were drawn using some simple rules:
1 – population equality, 2 – contiguity, 3 – unity of counties and cities (maintaining county lines and
This was very interesting because it originlly put two popular Congressmen in the same district.
So Jim Leach moved (barely carried his new district) and Jim Nussle carried the district he had just been placed into.
Comment by Slice — August 26, 2004 @ 3:43 pm
The problem is what Amendment should be passed.
I prefer one that is strict and totally un-ambiguous.
The census is every ten years. Re-districting only happens when the largest district is x% (I like 100%) bigger than the smallest district. District will be drawn up so that they are within y% (I like 5%) of each other.
Rules about curcumference vs area and population type can be added.
Byna
Comment by Byna — August 28, 2004 @ 4:19 pm
Rules vary state to state as it stands, so there would need to be some kind of definition. I agree that any Amendment would need to be clearly stated, as the courts seem to have trouble understanding simple sentences.
Comment by Bunker — August 28, 2004 @ 4:49 pm