Internal Boundaries [AP HUMAN GEOGRAPHY] Unit 4 Topic 6 (4.6)

Summary

In this video, Mr. Sin explores the impact of redistricting and gerrymandering on U.S. elections, focusing on how voting districts are drawn and the controversies surrounding the process. He explains how districts are created, the role of state legislators, and the methods of gerrymandering like cracking and packing. The video also highlights the effect of gerrymandering on election outcomes and the low approval ratings of Congress despite high reelection rates. The discussion questions whether independent algorithms should be used for district creation, or if state legislators should maintain control. Mr. Sin invites viewers to reflect on the implications of redistricting and its influence on democracy.

Takeaways

• 😀 Voting districts, or VTDs, are geographic areas where citizens go to vote and are created by state and local governments to administer elections.
• 😀 As populations change over time, voting districts need to be redrawn to ensure they reflect the populations they represent.
• 😀 In most U.S. states, legislators are responsible for redrawing district boundaries, but six states use nonpartisan organizations for this process.
• 😀 Redistricting can be controversial because legislators may use it to benefit their own party, a practice known as gerrymandering.
• 😀 Gerrymandering is the redrawing of legislative boundaries to favor the party in power. It was named after Elbridge Gerry, whose district looked like a salamander.
• 😀 Cracking is a tactic used in gerrymandering where like-minded voters are spread across many districts, reducing their voting impact.
• 😀 Packing is another gerrymandering tactic where like-minded voters are concentrated into a few districts to win those elections but diminish their influence elsewhere.
• 😀 Many districts in the U.S. are considered 'safe districts,' where politicians don’t need to worry about reelection, even if public approval is low.
• 😀 Despite low approval ratings for Congress, the majority of incumbents are reelected due to gerrymandering and safe districts.
• 😀 Some propose using algorithms to create districts based solely on population to reduce political bias, while others argue that state legislators have a better understanding of their own districts.

Q & A

What is a voting district (VTD)?

A voting district (VTD) is a geographic area where citizens go to vote. It includes various polling areas such as election districts, precincts, or wards, and is created by state and local governments for administering elections.

How do populations affect voting districts?

As populations change, districts need to be redrawn to reflect the shifting populations. The goal is to ensure that districts represent the people they serve fairly.

Who is responsible for creating voting districts in the United States?

In the United States, most voting districts are created by state legislators, with only six states using nonpartisan organizations to draw their districts.

What are the six states that use nonpartisan commissions for redistricting?

The six states that use nonpartisan commissions to draw their voting districts are Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, and Washington.

What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of redrawing legislative boundaries to benefit the political party in power. The term originated from Elbridge Gerry, a governor who created a district shaped like a salamander to favor his party.

What is the process of 'cracking' in gerrymandering?

Cracking is a gerrymandering tactic where like-minded voters are spread across many districts to dilute their voting power and reduce the likelihood of them influencing election results.

What is 'packing' in gerrymandering?

Packing is when like-minded voters are concentrated into a few districts, ensuring they win in those districts but reducing their influence in the remaining districts.

Why are some districts considered 'safe districts'?

Safe districts are those where politicians are virtually guaranteed re-election due to gerrymandering, creating an unbalanced advantage for one party.

What is the impact of gerrymandering on election outcomes?

Gerrymandering can lead to election results that do not accurately reflect the will of the people. For instance, in 2012, Democrats received over 1.1 million more votes, but Republicans won 33 more House seats.

What do some people propose as a solution to gerrymandering?

Some propose using algorithms to create districts based solely on population data, aiming to remove political influence from the redistricting process.