Representation, Reapportionment and Redistricting

Representation

• To assign the appropriate number of representatives, the Census Bureau takes a nation census (population count) every 10 years!– Last census was 2010

• Reapportionment: Each state’s population determines # of reps it will get.

Congressional Redistricting

• Boundaries drawn for congressional districts– This process is called redistricting

• States may redraw districts in the middle of a the 10 years rather than at the end.

• Abuse:– Creating districts of very unequal populations– Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering

• Definition: Drawing district boundaries to give one party an electoral advantage!– Drawing boundaries to ensure victory –

hence weird shaped districts

• “Cracking”– Dividing an opponent’s voter into other

districts to weaken the opponent’s voter base.

• “Packing”– Drawing lines so they include as many of

the opposing party’s voters as possible.