1. AP Government & Politics
Redistricting
AP Government & Politics

2. Gerrymandering
Those who redraw districts use computer software to come up with the most favorable boundaries
Can create open seats
Can pit incumbents of the same party against each other (only one can survive)
Can give advantages to one party by clustering voters with similar ideologies in the same district
Gerrymandering: the apportionment of voters in districts in such a way as to give unfair advantage to one political party

3. Process: Very political process
Districts are shaped to create an advantage for majority party in state legislature (controls redistricting but is subject to governors veto)
What is the role of parties in redistricting?

4. “Terminate Gerrymandering”
Arnold Schwarzenegger has become a very outspoken critic of redistricting.
Here’s what he has to say:
explains-gerrymandering-congress#

5. Supreme Court Cases Look up the following cases
What was the underlying cause for each suit?
What was the outcome of the case?
Why is the case important?
Easley v. Cromartie
Shaw v. Reno
Wright v. Rockefeller

6. What is “gerrymandering”?
gerrymander-come /
is-the-best-explanation-of-gerrymandering-you-will-ever- see/?utm_term=.57210f5a3c05
nia-gerrymandering.html?_r=0
history-of-gerrymandering-in-american-politics/262369/

7. Small Group Discussion
Is redistricting or “gerrymandering” a help or a hindrance to democracy?
Why do politicians participate in it?
What, if anything, can be done to make the process more fair?