Gerrymandering

Full Answer Section

      Who is responsible for it (50+ words)? The responsibility for redistricting, which can include gerrymandering, typically falls to state legislatures. In some cases, independent commissions are established to handle redistricting. Reelection Rate for Congress (under 50 words): The average reelection rate for members of Congress is very high, often exceeding 90%. Current Approval Rating of Congress (under 50 words): The current approval rating of Congress is typically quite low, often hovering around 20% or less. Disparity Between Reelection Rates and Approval Ratings (200+ words): The stark contrast between the high reelection rates and low approval ratings of Congress highlights the potential impact of gerrymandering. When districts are gerrymandered, it's easier for incumbents to win re-election, even if they are not very popular with the overall electorate. In safe districts with a strong majority of their party's voters, they may face minimal competition and can focus on fundraising and campaigning for national office rather than addressing the concerns of their constituents. This can lead to a situation where a significant portion of the population is dissatisfied with Congress, yet incumbents are easily reelected. California's Approach to Gerrymandering (250+ words): California took a significant step to address gerrymandering in 2010 with the passage of Proposition 11, also known as the Voters First Act. This act created the California Citizens Redistricting Commission, an independent body responsible for drawing congressional and state legislative district lines. The commission is composed of 14 members: five Democrats, five Republicans, and four members who decline to state a political affiliation. The commission is subject to specific criteria when drawing districts, including:

• Maintaining communities of interest together
• Using geographically contiguous districts
• Following natural boundaries where possible
• Avoiding districts that favor or discriminate against any political party

The creation of this independent commission has been credited with reducing the impact of gerrymandering in California. Studies have shown that districts drawn by the commission are more competitive and reflect the state's diverse population. State Legislator Affiliation vs. Congressional Members (3 Examples):

1. Texas: Texas has a Republican-controlled legislature and a majority Republican delegation in Congress. This reflects a genuine alignment between the state's political leanings and its federal representation.
2. New York: New York has a Democratic-controlled legislature and a majority Democratic delegation in Congress. Similar to Texas, this reflects the state's overall political makeup.
3. Florida: Florida presents a more complex picture. The state legislature is narrowly Republican-controlled, while the congressional delegation is currently split almost evenly between Democrats and Republicans. This discrepancy could be due to several factors, including:

• More competitive districting compared to other states
• A swing state with a relatively balanced electorate
• The influence of local demographics within specific districts

These are just a few examples, and further research would be needed to establish a definitive quantitative connection between state legislators' affiliations and congressional members in every state.  

Sample Answer

     

Gerrymandering, Reelection Rates, and Approval Ratings

Gerrymandering (100+ words):

Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries to give one political party an unfair advantage in elections. Politicians in power draw district lines that concentrate voters of the opposing party into a few districts, while spreading their own voters thinly across many districts. This allows them to win a higher number of seats with a smaller percentage of the total vote.