Comments on: The Joys of Gerrymandering http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446 A rough draft of my thoughts... Mon, 08 May 2024 20:50:04 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=1.5.1.2 by: SoloD http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454416 Mon, 27 Feb 2024 03:40:43 +0000 http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454416 While neutral redistricting would not solve all of the problems, it would certainly be a step in the right direction. And it would also allow for a more representative House of representatives, because it would do away with some of the safe districts that allow for the Shelia Jackson Lee's and Dan Burton's to be more of the rule than the exceptions. While neutral redistricting would not solve all of the problems, it would certainly be a step in the right direction. And it would also allow for a more representative House of representatives, because it would do away with some of the safe districts that allow for the Shelia Jackson Lee’s and Dan Burton’s to be more of the rule than the exceptions.

]]> by: Fruits and Votes » Blog Archive » Maybe as few as 33 US House seats competitive http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454220 Mon, 27 Feb 2024 02:32:54 +0000 http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454220 [...] erg Shugart @18:32 Planted in: USA, Plurality, ELECTORAL RULES, 2024 elections PoliBlog notes a Reuters report: “handicappers expect a mere 33 [House districts] to be [...] […] erg Shugart @18:32 Planted in: USA, Plurality, ELECTORAL RULES, 2024 elections PoliBlog notes a Reuters report: “handicappers expect a mere 33 [House districts] to be […]

]]> by: Matthew Shugart/Fruits & Votes http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454192 Mon, 27 Feb 2024 02:23:07 +0000 http://poliblogger.com/?p=9446#comment-454192 Nor would total public financing (or some other means to equalize incumbents and challengers) along with nonpartisan redistricting free up that many more (though either or both of these would help). At least here in California, studies associated with Ahnold's redistricting reform proposal suggested there would be little effect. The two major parties' electorates are increasingly segregated geographically, such that there are severe limits to what even the 'fairest' districting can do to create competitive races. The only way to make more competitive races in Congress overall is to break out of the single-seat winner-take-all paradigm. Nor would total public financing (or some other means to equalize incumbents and challengers) along with nonpartisan redistricting free up that many more (though either or both of these would help).

At least here in California, studies associated with Ahnold’s redistricting reform proposal suggested there would be little effect. The two major parties’ electorates are increasingly segregated geographically, such that there are severe limits to what even the ‘fairest’ districting can do to create competitive races.

The only way to make more competitive races in Congress overall is to break out of the single-seat winner-take-all paradigm.

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