Gerrymandering: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver (HBO)

Summary

The video humorously critiques the issue of gerrymandering, a practice where voting districts are drawn to favor one political party over another. It highlights how both Republicans and Democrats have manipulated district boundaries to secure electoral advantages. The script emphasizes the damaging impact gerrymandering has on democracy, pointing out examples like North Carolina and Pennsylvania, while also discussing the potential for Supreme Court intervention and the benefits of independent redistricting commissions. The overarching message is that every vote should count equally in a truly democratic system.

Takeaways

• 🗳️ Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing voting districts to give unfair advantages to the party in power.
• 📊 Gerrymandering can lead to disproportionate representation in government, as shown in Pennsylvania and Ohio where Republicans controlled more seats than their vote share suggested.
• 💻 Advances in technology have made gerrymandering more precise, allowing parties to meticulously manipulate district lines for their benefit.
• 🟦 Democrats also engage in gerrymandering, although Republicans have turned it into a more systematic approach, particularly through initiatives like RedMap.
• 👨‍🔬 Gerrymandering can be used for different purposes, such as racial discrimination or political advantage, but only racial gerrymandering is illegal under current laws.
• 🎨 Odd-shaped districts, like North Carolina’s 12th, can signal gerrymandering, but unusual shapes can also protect communities of interest, like Chicago’s earmuff district.
• ⚖️ The Supreme Court is poised to hear cases that could limit partisan gerrymandering, potentially offering a solution to this issue.
• 🖋️ Some states have shifted redistricting power to independent commissions, although challenges in maintaining total neutrality still exist.
• 📉 Where people choose to live affects the balance of representation, with Democrats often clustering in cities, making it harder for them to win more districts.
• 🏛️ The fundamental issue with gerrymandering is that it allows politicians to pick their voters, undermining the democratic principle that voters should choose their representatives.

Q & A

What is the main issue being discussed in the script?

The main issue discussed is gerrymandering, the practice of redrawing electoral districts to give an unfair advantage to a particular political party.

How does gerrymandering affect elections according to the script?

Gerrymandering affects elections by creating voting districts that favor one political party, often leading to disproportionate representation where a party wins more seats than their share of the popular vote would suggest.

What are some of the techniques used in gerrymandering as explained in the script?

Two common techniques mentioned are 'packing' (concentrating opposition voters into a few districts) and 'cracking' (spreading opposition voters thinly across many districts). Both methods dilute the voting power of the opposition.

What historical figure is the term 'gerrymandering' named after?

The term 'gerrymandering' is named after Elbridge Gerry, a 19th-century politician who helped shape a congressional district in Massachusetts that was so one-sided it was compared to a salamander, giving rise to the name 'gerrymander.'

What role does technology play in modern gerrymandering?

Technology allows politicians to gerrymander with precision, using data and computers to draw district lines that specifically include or exclude certain voters in a very detailed and scientific manner.

Why is partisan gerrymandering generally allowed, while racial gerrymandering is illegal?

Racial gerrymandering is illegal under the Voting Rights Act because it discriminates against voters based on race, while partisan gerrymandering—manipulating districts to favor a political party—is generally allowed, as courts have been less willing to intervene in cases of political bias.

What is the significance of the Supreme Court case mentioned in the script?

The Supreme Court case mentioned involves Wisconsin, where a lower court struck down a redistricting map for being excessively partisan. The outcome could potentially lead to new limits on partisan gerrymandering if the Supreme Court rules in favor of regulating it.

Why do some argue that independent commissions should handle redistricting?

Independent commissions are suggested as a solution because they could reduce the partisan bias in redistricting, ensuring a fairer and more balanced process, rather than letting politicians draw districts that favor their own party.

What are some arguments against the use of independent commissions for redistricting?

One argument against independent commissions is the belief that it's impossible to find people who are completely free from political bias, and thus, some lawmakers argue that using such commissions wouldn't fully solve the problem.

How does where Democrats live affect their representation according to the script?

The script notes that many Democrats tend to live in cities, which results in them being concentrated in fewer districts. This 'self-packing' makes it harder for them to win seats in rural or suburban areas, further contributing to the disproportionate representation in Congress.