Copyright 2005 LWVO

GerrymanderingGerrymanderingGerrymanderingGerrymandering

Where do we draw the district lines?Where do we draw the district lines?-or--or-

Why redistricting should be important to youWhy redistricting should be important to you!

Where do we draw the district lines?Where do we draw the district lines?-or--or-

Why redistricting should be important to youWhy redistricting should be important to you!

GerrymanderingGerrymandering

The act of dividing an area into election units to give one political

party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while

concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few

districts as possible.

The act of dividing an area into election units to give one political

party an electoral majority in a large number of districts while

concentrating the voting strength of the opposition in as few

districts as possible.

Gargoyles out…Gargoyles out…

…Doughnuts and Ink Blots in…Doughnuts and Ink Blots in

Montgomery County, Ohio 18th Congressional District, Texas

Gerry-mandering…the possibilities are endless

The candidates pick the voters instead of the

voters picking the candidates.

Effects of GerrymanderingEffects of Gerrymandering

Less competitive elections.

Less accountability from elected officials.

Less representative governments.

The vote is diluted with gerrymandering.

Less competitive elections.

Less accountability from elected officials.

Less representative governments.

The vote is diluted with gerrymandering.

Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections

In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members

of the U.S. House of Representativeswere defeated.

Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive.

In the past 3 election cycles, an average of only 7 out of 435 members

of the U.S. House of Representativeswere defeated.

Nationally, only about 50 seats can be described as competitive.

Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections

The number ofU.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods -out of 435 seats

The number ofU.S. House of Representatives seats that changed parties over various four-year election periods -out of 435 seats

163

114127 133

62

-15

35

85

135

185

235

285

335

385

435

1953-1964 1968-1974 1978-1984 1988-1994 1998-2004

Less Competitive ElectionsLess Competitive Elections

0%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%

100%

2 12 R's 6 D's 13 R's 3 D's 57 R's 42 D'sOhio’s

Congressional Seats

Ohio’s Senate Seats

Ohio’s House Seats

Ohio’s President’s

race

Wide Margins of Victory except for Presidential Race

2004 Elections

Mar

gin

of V

icto

ry

Incumbents are very safe despite state-wide problems

Legislators are more concerned about party ideology than finding common ground

Less Accountability Among Elected OfficialsLess Accountability Among Elected Officials

Less Accountability Among Elected OfficialsLess Accountability Among Elected Officials

Runaway Victories - Lopsided districts where one party is almost guaranteed victory are growing.

Percentage of Incumbents Winning by 60% or more.Percentage of Incumbents Winning by 60% or more.

76

66 6574 76 77

83

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

per

cen

tag

e

“Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005

“Gerrymandering is discriminatory districting practiced to inflate one party’s strength and to dilute the other party’s strength… Why run hard if you can win by running easy? Why run hard when you can rig the race before it begins?” Mike Curtin; Columbus Dispatch; LWVO SHD 2005

Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government

OhioSenateDistricts

Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government

The doughnut district story…Montgomery County, Ohio

The doughnut district story…Montgomery County, Ohio

Less Representative GovernmentLess Representative Government

The Dayton Daily News reported:

2 - 1 ratio of one political party

Term limits - not a solution

The Dayton Daily News reported:

2 - 1 ratio of one political party

Term limits - not a solution

In other words…In other words…

The fix is in.

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts

• Enacted by Congress in 1965

• The Act was amended in 1982 to require that certain jurisdictions take steps to give minority voters an opportunity to elect candidates of their choice.

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts

Voting Rights Act and Minority-Controlled Districts

• But has the Voting Rights Act made a difference?

• The VRA is set to expire and be reauthorized next year

The role of the Ohio ConstitutionThe role of the Ohio Constitution

How Ohio Districts Are Currently DrawnHow Ohio Districts Are Currently Drawn

How Ohio Districts Are Currently DrawnHow Ohio Districts Are Currently Drawn

General Assembly district linesApportionment Board

Congressional DistrictsLegislative Process

General Assembly district linesApportionment Board

Congressional DistrictsLegislative Process

CandidatesCandidatesshould haveshould have

to sweat!to sweat!

CandidatesCandidatesshould haveshould have

to sweat!to sweat!

Redistricting ReformRedistricting Reform

Redistricting reform is no panacea, but it is a start.

Redistricting ReformRedistricting Reform

Possibilities

What the LWV SupportsWhat the LWV Supports

Taking the politicsout of the process.Taking the politicsout of the process.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Voters have a responsibilityto learn about the issues

in order to make informed choices.

League of Women Voters of Ohio

Democracy is not a spectator sport.

Voters have a responsibilityto learn about the issues

in order to make informed choices.

League of Women Voters of Ohio