This is a very interesting story of how the Republican State Leadership Committee (RSLC) would turn the electoral map bright red. The plan was called REDMAP, which stood for Redistricting Majority Project. The effect of this redistricting is important. For example, in the 2012 election, 1.4 million more Americans voted for Democratic House candidates than Republican candidates, yet Republicans ended up with a 33 seat advantage in the House. As the author noted, "REDMAP built a firewall against the popular will. And it held strong." Today we have 435 sets of lines drawn with the help of big data. This has sorted us into congressional districts that have, in essence, been insulated from the will of the people. This can certainly be called a rigged system. We have a system here in America that basically allows politicians to pick their own voters. We are the only major democracy in the world that allows this. It allows Republicans, at this point, to maintain a foolproof majority in the House. The author makes the point, "that when our democratic institutions become separated from the popular will, they cease to be effective and democratic." Loyola law professor Justin Levitt has a website that lists 37 states where state legislatures have primary control over their lines and 42 states where the legislatures draw the congressional districts. This is so unfair to the election process. The party in power in a state can redistrict the state to ensure they will maintain control for a very long time.
The author, in subsequent chapters, goes into some detail about the specific redistricting in various states such as Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Michigan, Ohio, Florida, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Arizona. You really have to read this to believe it. For example, in North Carolina there is a sea horse shaped district (the 4th) that is specifically designed to make all the surrounding districts safely Republican. Today, pencils and parchment have given way to powerful computer algorithms. It is almost unbelievable how much easier this process has been made because of computers and software and data. One such program is called Maptitude for Redistricting. It is possible to know the voting patterns block by block or even house by house. This is scary. In Michigan, the author actually drove the border of a particular gerrymandered district. What he saw was incredible! One could drive along I-75, at one point, for a distance of 30 miles and change congressional districts six times.
In the penultimate chapter, the author discusses possible solutions by university professors and states to change this system. Creating a fair system is what we need. The big question is: will it ever get done?
Enjoy fast, free delivery, exclusive deals, and award-winning movies & TV shows with Prime
Try Prime
and start saving today with fast, free delivery
Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet, or computer - no Kindle device required.
Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.
Using your mobile phone camera - scan the code below and download the Kindle app.
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.
Book recommendations, author interviews, editors' picks, and more. Read it now
Frequently bought together
$15.44
Get it as soon as Thursday, May 16
Only 1 left in stock - order soon.
Total price:
To see our price, add these items to your cart.
Choose items to buy together.
Customers who viewed this item also viewed
Page 1 of 1 Start overPage 1 of 1
About the author
Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Top reviews from other countries
Alex C. Michalos
Should be required reading for all Americans!
Reviewed in Canada on October 4, 2016
M Clark
America's political future is doomed due to gerrymandering
Reviewed in Germany on July 23, 2016