What is your opinion on gerrymandering in the United States?

Question

What is your opinion on gerrymandering in the United States?

Answer 1

Partisan gerrymandering? I think it's fine. It's fair. By fair, I mean that both parties do it when they feel like doing it, which they don't always do. In the last round of redistricting, in the year 2001, the Democrats of Maryland gerrymandered to their advantage, while, simultaneously, the Republicans of Pennsylvania gerrymandered to their advantage. Democrats in Maryland got exactly what they wanted; Republicans in Pennsvlvania weren't quite as successful.

Racial gerrymandering? I used to think that it was a bad thing. Until I read the Supreme Court's ruling in Miller v. Johnson, 1995, and then because the Court did such a sloppy job of explaining it's conclusion I changed my mind and decided that racial gerrymandering isn't such a bad thing after all.

Answer 2

is that really a word? ive never heard of it

Answer 3

It's a bad thing.  Districts should be abolished.  Would-be representatives should have to simply collect enough votes to get a seat.  They could still campaign in a given area they feel they 'represent' - but they could campaign based on anything else, instead.

The result would be Congressional representation more closely matching the partizan makeup of the state - and minor parties winning more seats in Congress, as well.  Both arguably good things.