L23. Rethinking Representation

Question 1

What has happened to the VRA after 2000?

Answer 1

• supreme court has weakened the VRA significantly
• section 4/5 are gone, 2 is only remaining
• no constitutional prohibition on partisan gerrymandering

Question 2

Explain the issue of compact v. contiguous debate

Answer 2

• districting criteria holds that there should be an equal population where the majority is represented
• compact: assumption that common location means common political interests (community of proximity or propinquity, also pragmatically it is easier to regulate elections )
• contiguous: constituency is enclosed by a boundary (“travel to all parts of the district without leaving the district” bridges? islands?)

Question 3

What is the practical effect of compact and contiguous districts?

Answer 3

limits the number of minority districts

Question 4

What is one reason non-contiguous districts have not been formed in the US?

Answer 4

• districts based on racial identity violates the constitution
• over represents the black population (white people have been overrepresented time and time again)
• non-contiguous (no mention in constitution by people are very against)

Question 5

Why should non-contiguous districts be considered?

Answer 5

• based on a traditional requirement with no basis
• came from pre-industrial model when there was different factors (when things were more local and less fragmented)
• customary, not a necessary quality of a constituency