copyright 2005 lwvo. gerrymanderinggerrymandering where do we draw the district lines? -or- why...
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Copyright 2005 LWVO
GerrymanderingGerrymanderingGerrymanderingGerrymandering
Where do we draw the district lines?Where do we draw the district lines?-or--or-
Why redistricting should be important to youWhy redistricting should be important to you!
Where do we draw the district lines?Where do we draw the district lines?-or--or-
Why redistricting should be important to youWhy redistricting should be important to you!
GerrymanderingGerrymandering
The act of dividing an area into election units to give one political
party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while
concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few
districts as possible.
The act of dividing an area into election units to give one political
party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while
concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few
districts as possible.
Gargoyles out…Gargoyles out…
…Doughnuts and Ink Blots in…Doughnuts and Ink Blots in
Montgomery County, Ohio 18th Congressional District, Texas
Gerry-mandering…the possibilities are endless
The candidates pick the voters instead of the
voters picking the candidates.
Effects of GerrymanderingEffects of Gerrymandering
Less competitive elections.
Less accountability from elected officials.
Less representative governments.
The vote is diluted with gerrymandering.
Less competitive elections.
Less accountability from elected officials.
Less representative governments.
The vote is diluted with gerrymandering.
Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections
In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members
of the U.S. House of Representativeswere defeated.
Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive.
In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members
of the U.S. House of Representativeswere defeated.
Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive.
Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections
The number ofU.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods -out of 435 seats
The number ofU.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods -out of 435 seats
163
114127 133
62
-15
35
85
135
185
235
285
335
385
435
1953-1964 1968-1974 1978-1984 1988-1994 1998-2004
Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections
0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%
100%
2 12 R's 6 D's 13 R's 3 D's 57 R's 42 D'sOhio’s
Congressional Seats
Ohio’s Senate Seats
Ohio’s House Seats
Ohio’s President’s
race
Wide Margins of Victory except for Presidential Race
2004 Elections
Mar
gin
of V
icto
ry
Incumbents are very safe despite state-wide problems
Legislators are more concerned about party ideology than finding common ground
Less Accountability Among Elected OfficialsLess Accountability Among Elected Officials
Less Accountability Among Elected OfficialsLess Accountability Among Elected Officials
Runaway Victories - Lopsided districts where one party is almost guaranteed victory are growing.
Percentage of Incumbents Winning by 60% or more.Percentage of Incumbents Winning by 60% or more.
76
66 6574 76 77
83
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
90
1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002
per
cen
tag
e
“Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005
“Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005
Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government
OhioSenateDistricts
Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government
The doughnut district story…Montgomery County, Ohio
The doughnut district story…Montgomery County, Ohio
Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government
The Dayton Daily News reported:
2 - 1 ratio of one political party
Term limits - not a solution
The Dayton Daily News reported:
2 - 1 ratio of one political party
Term limits - not a solution
In other words…In other words…
The fix is in.
Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts
Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts
• Enacted by Congress in 1965
• The Act was amended in 1982 to require that certain jurisdictions take steps to give minority voters an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.
Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts
Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts
• But has the Voting Rights Act made a difference?
• The VRA is set to expire and be reauthorized next year
The role of the Ohio ConstitutionThe role of the Ohio Constitution
How Ohio Districts Are Currently DrawnHow Ohio Districts Are Currently Drawn
How Ohio Districts Are Currently DrawnHow Ohio Districts Are Currently Drawn
General Assembly district linesApportionment Board
Congressional DistrictsLegislative Process
General Assembly district linesApportionment Board
Congressional DistrictsLegislative Process
CandidatesCandidatesshould haveshould have
to sweat!to sweat!
CandidatesCandidatesshould haveshould have
to sweat!to sweat!
Redistricting ReformRedistricting Reform
Redistricting reform is no panacea, but it is a start.
Redistricting ReformRedistricting Reform
Possibilities
What the LWV SupportsWhat the LWV Supports
Taking the politicsout of the process.Taking the politicsout of the process.
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Voters have a responsibilityto learn about the issues
in order to make informed choices.
League of Women Voters of Ohio
Democracy is not a spectator sport.
Voters have a responsibilityto learn about the issues
in order to make informed choices.
League of Women Voters of Ohio
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