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Fair and Square Redistricting

07 July 2021, Version 7
Working Paper

Abstract

Fair maps are the foundation of a representative democracy. Gerrymanderers wish to create an unrepresentative legislature. The counter to gerrymandering is a fair map where the party distribution of likely representatives matches the party distribution of the state’s voters. This redistricting criterion was recently codified in the Ohio State Constitution. https://www.legislature.ohio.gov/laws/ohio-constitution/section?const=11.06 A Guide to a new approach for drawing fair maps has been written for citizens, advocates and members of redistricting commissions, as well as legislators and judges. A research article details, justifies and applies the approach. As more people become aware of approaches such as this, more are likely to ask, “Why aren’t we using procedures like this to build maps where the districts are compact and the maps are fair?”

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Version History

Jul 07, 2021 Version 7

Version Notes

The updated Guide to Fair Redistricting discusses why fair maps are important and describes the explicit component of a fair map that eliminates gerrymandering. Examples of fair maps are drawn and evaluated for a wide range of states. The maps are drawn by a nonpartisan, transparent, straightforward procedure. In each map, the districts are compact, contiguous and meet population requirements. The maps are representationally fair. The party distribution of likely representatives matches the party distribution of voting behavior in the state. The maps are designed to create a competitive legislature and to achieve the highest ratings possible on the set of criteria of representing minorities, compactness, and not splitting local jurisdictional boundaries. Gerrymandering is eliminated and representative democracy prevails. This Guide is written for citizens, advocates, and members of redistricting commissions, as well as legislators and judges

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The content is available under CC BY 4.0 CreativeCommons.org [opens in a new tab]

DOI

10.33774/apsa-2020-5vg8w-v7
D O I: 10.33774/apsa-2020-5vg8w-v7 [opens in a new tab]

Author’s competing interest statement

The author(s) have declared they have no conflict of interest with regard to this content

Ethics

The author(s) have declared ethics committee/IRB approval is not relevant to this content

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This content is an early or alternative research output and has not been peer-reviewed at the time of posting.