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Gerrymandering can affect voter sentiment and trigger polling location changes during redistricting, both of which can affect voter turnout[1][2][3] (though the
by Brybry 1y ago
Gerrymandering can affect voter sentiment and trigger polling location changes during redistricting, both of which can affect voter turnout[1][2][3] (though the research doesn't seem conclusive on the effect).
And thinking about it more, though I haven't seen if there are studies on it: there are probably manpower/fundraising effects from gerrymandering.
If you're able to protect your political power in one area that probably better enables you to amass resources to use in the area you can't gerrymander.
But all that said, both parties practice gerrymandering and I don't think there's strong evidence of a significant advantage over a major party from current gerrymandering at the national level.
[1] https://da.lib.kobe-u.ac.jp/da/kernel/90008864/90008864.pdf https://da.lib.kobe-u.ac.jp/da/kernel/90008864/90008864.pdf
[2] https://electionlab.mit.edu/articles/gerrymandering-turnout-and-lazy-legislators https://electionlab.mit.edu/articles/gerrymandering-turnout-...
[3] https://stateline.org/2022/05/20/check-your-polling-place-redistricting-confused-some-voters/ https://stateline.org/2022/05/20/check-your-polling-place-re...
- paulryanrogers 1y ago> On a percentage basis, over three times as many districts were competitive in states where independent commissions drew maps as in states where Republicans drew maps. https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-gerrymandering-and-fair-maps-affected-battle-house https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/analysis-opinion/how-...
- xyzzyz 1y agoThat’s just confusing cause and effect. If your seats are safe, you have no reason to agree to forming an independent commission. The same is true in both heavily blue and heavily red states. Are districts more competitive in states where Democrats draw maps? I don’t think so.
- throwaway173738 1y agoThis totally ignores values and motivations, and I would argue that only one group in your comment values winning at any cost.
- xyzzyz 1y agoI don’t even know which group you mean, but “my group has good values and motivations, but the enemy group just values winning at any cost” is exactly what a total partisan who values winning at any cost would say.
- paulryanrogers 1y agoThe evidence is that independent commissions drawing maps makes for more competitive districts. Which party is most opposed to such commissions? Which party is gleefully dismantling all accountability and oversight positions and departments? Which party is openly inviting corruption and pardoning those they should be prosecuting?
- rayiner 1y agoI wonder why one party would be seeking to change a civil service that’s 90% staffed by members of the other party? I guess “democracy” means Democrats running the country no matter who wins the election, right?
- int_19h 1y agoDemocracy means "one person, one vote". We all know which party is fighting tooth and nail against that on practically every issue that affects it.
- shadowgovt 1y agoAre most members of the civil service Democrats? This is the first I've heard of this.
- tomrod 1y agoOP asserts this unsource. While it does seem to tilt towards Democrats since it is ethics and mission oriented and typically requires a degree, 90/10 sounds wild in my experience. My prior is based on experience. Most of the civilian govies are centrist, "I just want to grill" types.