Electoral Geography
Levels of Government Local (city or county) ex: State Federal
Systems of Govt powers shared by National and Local govts Federal System most power with Nat’l govt Unitary System most power w/ local govt Confederation
Census How often? Every 10 years What does it measure? Population and other demographic data What does it determine? Seats in the House/Electoral votes
US Congressional District Map
# of Electoral Votes in 2008
# of Electoral Votes in 2012
Who elects the President of the USA? The Electoral College
How is a state’s number of electoral votes calculated? One vote per House member One vote per Senator
# of Electoral Votes in 2012
Reapportionment The redistributing of House seats/electoral districts every 10 years according to data provided by the Census
There are 435 seats in the House of Representatives, each of which is assigned to an electoral districts. The number of electoral districts remains at 435, the number of districts w/ in each state is determined by the state’s population The more populated, the more seats in the House and Electoral Votes a state has
Redistricting After Reapportionment is determined states must redraw electoral district boundaries if they gain or lose seats in the House of Representatives Redistricting is the creation of these new electoral district boundaries
Congressional Districts: The areas in a state that will be represented by a member in the House of Representatives
State level Congressional Districts How can the density of districts show the most populated areas of a state?
State Level Congressional Districts
Gerrymandering: the practice of drawing the boundaries of voting districts in a way that favors one group over another.
Gerrymandering Made Simple Democrats Rule Republicans Rule Nobody Rules Copyright © 2001 by Michael D. Robbins, FraudFactor.com
Gerrymandering – excess vote Concentrate one group together in a district Minimize their impact in other districts This guarantees them some representation – but weakens them overall
Gerrymandering – wasted vote Break up concentrations of voters Mix with different voter groups Dilutes their voting power R D
Gerrymandering – stacked vote Group power bases together Removes much contestation from elections Often done by incumbents to ensure continued election R D
The Earmuffs (Illinois 4th) Hispanic majority
Shady Business Every political party that is in power during reapportionment will attempt to draw voting districts that will keep them in power
Representative Democracy We elect our leaders to represent us in government.
US/Canada Political Comparisons
Federal Republic Same as a federal system or federalism. Sharing of government powers between National/State and Local governments.
Separation of Powers Government power separated by branches of government.
Checks and Balances
Provinces Canada has provinces we have states. Both political units
Prime Minister Acting executive leader in Canada Ministerial responsibility means he or she is ultimately responsible for the actions of their administration.
Canadian Symbolic Leader The queen of England…or current English monarch.