Redistricting in Illinois
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Why is it so hard to redistrict without bias?
Would it be so bad if we said something like - make squares starting from the top left of a state until you get x% of the pop covered.
Then start a new polygon. Make your way to the bottom right of the state.
What would we lose by doing that?
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This always looked to me like something that would be better done by computers, since both sides always cheat like crazy when doing these.
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@xenon said in Redistricting in Illinois:
Why is it so hard to redistrict without bias?
Would it be so bad if we said something like - make squares starting from the top left of a state until you get x% of the pop covered.
Then start a new polygon. Make your way to the bottom right of the state.
What would we lose by doing that?
The problem is, is that you are making sense.
Politics makes not sense.
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@doctor-phibes They use computers to generate this mess.
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Illinois Democrats unveiled a draft congressional map Friday that would bury the GOP: The proposed lines could give them control of 14 of the state’s 17 House seats.
But privately, some national Democrats felt even that didn't go far enough. So late Friday night, they floated an alternative map that was even more aggressive — one that could leave Republicans with just two seats.
The dueling maps provided rare insight into the partisan considerations and infighting that mark Illinois’ effort to redraw its congressional districts, as national Democrats try desperately to cling to their five-seat majority by pressing their advantage in one of the few places where the party has total control over redistricting.
The official proposal Friday from Springfield Democrats — which splits Chicagoland into a 10-slice pizza and creates one district that looks like a serpent slithering from Missouri to Indiana and another that swerves from downstate Illinois up to the Wisconsin border — complicates the reelections of GOP Reps. Adam Kinzinger and Rodney Davis. But it doesn't doom either congressman entirely. And while the plan somewhat shores up Democratic Rep. Lauren Underwood and the seat vacated by retiring Democratic Rep. Cheri Bustos, neither district would be insulated if the party faces strong headwinds in the next election.
Democratic Rep. Marie Newman, on the other hand, finds herself in a potentially competitive seat — and she was quick to express her displeasure.
"It is abundantly apparent that what has currently been proposed for Illinois' 3rd Congressional District is not only retrogressive but substantially diminishes the diverse and progressive voices of Chicago's Southwest Side and suburbs," Newman said in a statement...
"The map that was released is a massive missed opportunity that will have repercussions for control of the House," said one Democratic strategist involved in Illinois politics. "And I can’t imagine that Democrats in Illinois, who have a reputation for being incredibly well-organized, disciplined and ruthless, would allow this to happen."
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G George K referenced this topic on
