by New-Constitution | May 21, 2020 | 2 comments
A fair process of drawing Congressional boundaries prevents gerrymandering, the strategic adjustment of district boundaries by a locally dominant political party to distort truly representational elections.
This Constitution proposes that computer technology can be used to draw unbiased congressional boundaries. A computer program could create a map of congressional boundaries based on the criteria of using the shortest possible total length of boundary lines to create evenly populated districts, undistorted in shape and independent of voter party affliation.
Comments are welcome below. All comments must be respectfully written and not contain misinformation or fallacious reasoning. We welcome thoughtful dialogue of differences.
A representative should have many of the views and values of the people that the official is representing. Having assigned districts does not accomplish that, no matter how the lines are drawn.
As an example: As of now all my representatives, state and federal are of a different party than mine. There is no one that has my views or values.
Using an at large ballot for each state might be a better solution. A voter could vote for the candidate that most reflects their views, then chose others is that would be acceptable. After a candidate gets enough votes, that person is in, and the extra votes to the next candidate on the voters list
It might be a good idea to be able to vote a party line. That would allow smaller parties to have a voice
Dear Mr. Sprague:
Thank you for your comment. It sounds like you are a voice crying in the wilderness; I sometimes feel that way myself.
Your idea of at-large elections has merit. Do you think you would be more likely to have representatives who things your way under such a scheme? Do you think they would care as much about your local concerns as they do new?
I do wish we had more party choices. The two-party system has created political gridlock throughout the country. Most states still require a D or R by the candidates’ names though- the parties’ grip is tight. In my state candidates are not required to state a party preference, though most do and everyone usually knows which party they favor.
I’d love to hear back from you.