Why Do Democrats Have Less Seats in Gerrymandering?

Introduction

The political process of redistricting, known as gerrymandering, has become a critical tool in shaping the outcome of congressional elections. Gerrymandering is the art of drawing electoral district boundaries to favor one party or class. Often, the party in power uses this strategy to maintain or increase its political stronghold. In the context of the United States, this can be observed in the discrepancy between the number of seats Democrats and Republicans hold, despite their electorate's voting patterns. This article delves into why Democrats have fewer seats in gerrymandering, exploring the long-term strategies implemented by the Republican Party and the impact of computer technology on the redistricting process.

Long-Term Strategies of the Republican Party

The Republican Party's success in securing a greater number of seats in gerrymandering can be attributed to a well-planned and long-term strategy. This approach began years before the current census, with the GOP's concerted effort to control state legislatures that would be responsible for redistricting. An article in a political magazine noted that the Republican Party took action well before the 2010 census and redistricting process, aiming to gain control over these crucial legislative positions.

With control over state legislatures, the Republican Party was then free to redraw district boundaries to their advantage. They used modern computer technology to optimize these redistricting efforts, a phenomenon some refer to as 'computermandering'. This term highlights the increasing reliance on technological tools to achieve political objectives. As a result, Republicans have seen a significant increase in the 'seats in gerrymandering', resulting in a wider representation in Congress.

The Evolution of Gerrymandering

Traditionally, gerrymandering was a more subjective process, relying on political strategy and a sense of geography. Political districts were drawn based on a series of guesswork and intuition to maximize the advantage for a particular party. However, the advent of modern computer technology has transformed gerrymandering into a more precise and methodical process.

With the practical implementation of advanced redistricting techniques, political parties can now digitally manipulate district lines to optimize the representation of their party. This involves sophisticated algorithms that divide or connect streets to maximize the concentration of voters who align with a particular party. Even independent or third-party voters are strategically placed into districts most likely to sway them towards the major parties.

The Role of State Legislatures and Governors

The control of state legislatures and governors plays a crucial role in the outcome of gerrymandering. In 2016, the Republican Party held 32 state legislatures and 34 governorships. This provided them with the leverage to redraw district boundaries in favor of their party. As of 2010, the party that controlled the redistricting process in a given state would reflect their respective party's power. This strategic move is evident in the election results from 2012, 2014, and 2016. However, there are exceptions in four states that utilize independent redistricting commissions, and seven states, which do not require redistricting as they do not have enough population to justify more than one seat.

Challenges to Overturning Gerrymandering

While many political observers believe that independent commissions, such as those in Iowa, offer the best solution to address the inequities in gerrymandering, reversing the current political landscape is challenging. If Democrats aim to regain control over state legislatures and governorships in 2020, they will probably face significant opposition. The entrenched political habits and the power dynamics in place make it difficult to break away from traditional practices.