1. Elbridge Gerry’s Legacy
Taking the competition out of Politics

2. 1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
Fewer Competitive
Congressional Districts
Congressional Districts
What’s Happening Here?
SOURCE:
http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/as-swing-districts-dwindle-can-a-divided-house-sta

3. The Source of the Problem
State legislatures are
responsible for
Gerrymandering
themselves and the US
House of representatives
The Results...

4. Why Draw a Map Like this?

5. Why Draw a Map Like this?
SOURCE:
HTTP://EN.WIKIPEDIA.ORG/WIKI/FILE:TRAVISCOUNTYDISTRICTS.PNG

6. Redistricting is a political Process
But its results can end debate
SOURCE: http://www.politicalnewsnow.com/2011/11/24/
REDISTRICTING-FEDERAL-COURT-ISSUES-PROPOSED-INTERIM-CONGRESSIONAL-
DISTRICTS-FOR-2012-ELECTIONS-IN-TEXAS-WAPO/

7. Does this Swing Elections?
Probably not by Much
incumbency is a much larger effect
http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/02/17/redistricting-didnt-win-republicans-the-house

8. 1992
1996
2000
2004
2008
2012
So Why should we Care?
Where is the incentive for Political Debate or Compromise?
SOURCE: http://fivethirtyeight.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/12/27/as-swing-districts-dwindle-can-a-
divided-house-stand