REPRESENT! Voting and Gerrymandering
This episode examines the Geography of Political Representation.
What could be more spatial than the lines that combine and divide us to make up our political representative districts? On this episode, we will take just a peek at how we all get bundled together – or not – to get some representation – or not – in our legislative bodies. What is the makeup of our representation and is it fair and adequate? How did we get here and who is in charge? There has got to be a better way – right?
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Show Notes + Sources
Um, what are Congressional Districts? Via the Census.
Citizen’s Guide to Redistricting
World’s Most Egregiously Drawn District, the North Carolina 12th
Maryland’s 3rd District makes a pretty creative showing, too.
Interactive Map of Congressional Districts and “Safety” Ratings
Gubernatorial and State Legislative Party Control, via Ballotpedia
Redistricting after the 2010 Census, via Ballotpedia
Both major parties have had their shot at gerrymandering in NC.
Under-representation after the 2010 Census and Redistricting, via the Washington Post
Representation at the local level
Unintentional Gerrymandering of ourselves.
More on independent redistricting commissions
Pending court cases related to redistricting schemes
