Class 9a: Political Geography IIProportional representationSlide 3ReapportionmentSlide 5RedistrictingGerrymanderingSlide 8Slide 9Slide 10Slide 11Slide 12Slide 13Gerrymandering and democracySlide 15Slide 16Local politicsHierarchy of jurisdictionsSlide 19Slide 20Special purpose districtsSchool districtsUrban sprawlClass 9a: Political Geography II•Reapportionment and redistricting •Gerrymandering•Local politicsProportional representation•VA Plan vs. NJ Plan Great Compromise•Large states wanted proportional repr.•Small states wanted equal repr.•3/5 Compromise on slavesProportional representation•100 Senators, 435 Representatives•Basis for Electoral College•All votes are not equal–Minimum representation–Winner-take-allReapportionment•Population changes with migration•Need to reapportion seats•Based on Census•Every state keeps at least one Representative•Method of equal proportions2000 ReapportionmentRedistricting•Redrawing district boundaries based on reapportionment•In most states, done by legislature•Meant to maintain equality of votes•Can be manipulatedGerrymandering•Discriminatory redistricting•Consolidating power•Diluting opponents’ powerGerrymandering•Racist gerrymandering after Civil War–Put all minorities in one district–Dilute them among all districts•1982 Voting Rights Act–Majority-minority districts–Constitutional issuesIL: 4th DistrictNY: 18th DistrictTX: 12th DistrictFL: 22nd and 23rd DistrictsGA: 13th DistrictGerrymandering and democracy•Preserves incumbents–In 1992, 61% of races won by >20%–In 2002, 80% of races won by > 20%; average margin of victory 39%–1 of 53 seats in CA competitiveGerrymandering and democracy•Removes decision-making from voters•“Candidates choose the voters”•More polarized CongressLocal politics•Hierarchy of jurisdictions•Special-purpose districts•Local governments and urban sprawlHierarchy of jurisdictions•First order divisions–Largest units within a state–Provinces, states, oblasts, prefectures–Unitary vs. federalHierarchy of jurisdictions•Second order divisions–Counties, townships, parishes, boroughs–3000 in US; from 24 to 20,000 miles2 and from 100 to 8 million residents•Functions depend on the state–Law enforcement, highways, taxes, statistics, welfare, electionsHierarchy of jurisdictions•Minor civil divisions–Townships, cities, villages•Land use and zoning•Growth by annexationSpecial purpose districts•Consequence of federal system•Territory and organization for one purpose•Fire, water, flood control, mosquito control, irrigation, etc.•Over 35,000 in 2002School districts•Land granted to new territories (1 section per township)•Land grant colleges•Historically, little federal input•Over 15,000 in 2002•Funding depends on local tax incomeUrban sprawl•Too much local decision-making•Each MCD acts in its own interests–Maximize tax revenue–Minimize need for services•Reluctance for regional
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