Gerry who?
(Greetings Poltico readers)
Opening across the country is a new documentary: Gerrymandering. Unless I am missing something I do not see any venues or showtimes around here?? What is up with that? If there is anywhere that movie needs to be seen it is in Pennsylvania. Not to pick on any one district, but below is the current shape for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. I would argue that PA18 is the most scientifically Gerrymandered district in the entire history of Gerrymandering. The result is the picture below. If this can't be used for a Rorschach test, then nothing can:
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Anyone want to sponsor a showing? If nothing else, could be fodder for a fundraiser. I'll offer up a free presentation with lots of local maps on the topic to go along with any local showing for any appropriately nonpartisan fundraiser if that helps.
Opening across the country is a new documentary: Gerrymandering. Unless I am missing something I do not see any venues or showtimes around here?? What is up with that? If there is anywhere that movie needs to be seen it is in Pennsylvania. Not to pick on any one district, but below is the current shape for Pennsylvania's 18th Congressional District. I would argue that PA18 is the most scientifically Gerrymandered district in the entire history of Gerrymandering. The result is the picture below. If this can't be used for a Rorschach test, then nothing can:
Anyone want to sponsor a showing? If nothing else, could be fodder for a fundraiser. I'll offer up a free presentation with lots of local maps on the topic to go along with any local showing for any appropriately nonpartisan fundraiser if that helps.
posted by C. Briem at Tuesday, October 19, 2010
6 Comments:
An old man sniffing a dead rose?
I think you have to give some consideration to IL-04, GA-13, and PA-12 in your "most scientifically gerrymandered" analysis.
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/IL04_109.gif
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/GA13_109.gif
http://www.nationalatlas.gov/printable/images/preview/congdist/PA12_109.gif
Note I did not say the most Gerrymandered district... I said the most scientifically Gerrymandered district. Big difference.
What distinguishes PA-18 (and 12) from GA-13 and IL-04 is that the latter districts were created to be "majority minority" districts, so their shape is at least arguably justifiable.
Isoperimetric Quotient: allow for a limited set of values for redistricting which most closely approximates a square. That should provide for a sweet array of "fat quarters" to sew this Commonwealth back together.
I would add NY-28 (http://www.govtrack.us/congress/findyourreps.xpd?state=NY&district=28). Buffalo and Rochseter are separate communities and media markets, but the district connects large parts of both cities with a 5-mile strip of land along Lake Erie. It's not a M/M district, but it's clear that safe seats take priotity over competitive elections.
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