“The Traditional Right” Support Bush 72%-17% US should use preemptive strike Gay relationships are “morally wrong” Religion should play more important role in government Oppose affirmative action Tax cuts are best way to stimulate economy LiberalConservative Secular Religious “Traditional Conservatives” 16%

“The Traditional Left” LiberalConservative Secular Religious Support Kerry 79%-8% US should not use preemptive strike Support gay rights Pro-immigration Pro-affirmative action Oppose tax cuts as economic policy Basic health insurance is a right “Traditional Liberals” 32%

“The Secular Center” “Secular Centrists” 29% LiberalConservative Secular Religious Split evenly for President (42% Bush, 41% Kerry) Strongly supports gay rights Supports free trade Believes strongly in separation of church and state Oppose affirmative action Less supportive of environment Less likely to believe basic health insurance is a right

“The Religious Center” “Religious Centrists” 23% Lean Bush 51%-34% Support affirmative action Support the environment Gay relationships are “morally wrong” Religion should play more important role in government Highest concentration of African Americans and Latinos LiberalConservative Secular Religious

The Political Personality of a New Generation “Traditional Liberals” 32% “Traditional Conservatives” 16% “Religious Centrists” 23% “Secular Centrists” 29% LiberalConservative Secular Religious

Politically Inactive L CS Pessimistic Optimistic LCRS Democrat Republican LCRS Liberal Conservative LCRS Political Personality Index R Politically Active L=Traditional Liberals R=Traditional Conservatives R=Religious Centrists S=Secular Centrists

Gay Rights Conservative CR S Gay Rights Liberal Not Religious Religious LCRS Foreign Policy Liberal Foreign Policy Conservative LCRS Economic Policy Liberal Economic Policy Conservative LCRS Domestic Policy Liberal Domestic Policy Conservative LCRS Political Personality Index L

What are Voters Looking For?

“How to Rig an Election” The Economist

Redistricting “In a normal democracy, voters choose their representatives. In America, it is rapidly becoming the other way around.” Most countries hand over redistricting to an independent board America: Every 10 years after a census, state legislature redraw congressional boundaries to be approved by the state’s governor

Effect of Voting Rights Act Majority-minority districts –Goal: chance for minorities to elect a candidate of the same race

Partisan Redistricting Software allows for detailed electoral maps, geographic information systems Goal of incumbent protection: safety first Reelection rate of 98% Lack of competition depresses voter turnout Categories of districts 1.Safe seats where incumbent almost assured of victory 2. Competitive districts where the parties focus their resources