The
redistricting process in this country is almost completely determined
by
political considerations. The result is legislative districts
that often
splinter communities and pack together members of each party,
essentially
predetermining the outcome of the general election. Powerful
computer
technology now allows partisans to totally control the
demographic and
political composition of districts. And in recent years we
have seen some
states engage in mid-census redistricting with the explicit purpose of
benefiting the party in power.
Gerrymandering
may help selected incumbents, but it lowers voter turnout across the
board and
therefore cuts the overall number of progressives likely to be elected
to
office. Progressive
leaders can help
restore responsiveness and accountability to government by supporting
independent redistricting commissions established with a strong mandate
to
compose districts that serve the people and not politicians. This is a
strategy that
has even garnered the
official
support of the American Bar Association.
Fostering fair redistricting requires carefully constructing the
redistricting
commission and establishing rules such as requiring supermajority
support and
balancing membership between partisans and unaffiliated members.
Common
Cause has produced a comprehensive set of
guidelines
for establishing effective commissions. Another important
reform is
banning mid-census redistricting.
Several states have redistricting procedures that are independent of
legislators, and some have seen redistricting reforms advance in the
past few
years.
- Iowa uniquely has legislative
staff draft districts under a list of statutory mandates that
seek to make the process apolitical. The state has enjoyed a
high percentage of competitive elections compared with the national
average.
- Arizona voters
approved a move to independent redistricting in 2000. Their
system picks commission members from a pool nominated by a
pre-existing body that handles appellate court appointments.
The district map is mandated to begin as a grid, and to be
adjusted to meet certain requirements such as compliance with the
Voting Rights Act, equal populations, and compact and contiguous
districts.
- California,
Florida and Ohio have all seen recent drives to establish independent
redistricting as well.
NCSL
–
Redistricting
Commissions
NCSL –
What
is a Competitive District, What is a Community of Interest?
American
Bar
Association –
Redistricting
Resolution
Brookings
Institution –
The
Competitive Problem of Voter Turnout (podcast)
Americans
for
Redistricting Reform
Common
Cause
–
Redistricting
Guidelines
FairVote –
Redistricting
Reform
League of Women Voters –
Redistricting
Brennan Center for Justice –
Redistricting
Campaign Legal Center –
Redistricting
Arizona
Redistricting Law
Legislative
Guide to Iowa Redistricting
