MAPS

MAP FAILS

REDISTRICTING & GERRYMANDERING

 Members of the House of Representatives represent congressional districts.

 After each census (every 10 years), the 435 districts in the U.S. are reapportioned among the states. ►If a state’s population declines, they may lose district(s). ►If a state’s population increases, they may gain a district.

 Malapportionment – the unequal distribution of population among the districts.  Low population districts have more power.  Redistricting – Redrawing districts.  How the lines are drawn can influence who has the most power.

WHO IS IN CHARGE OF DRAWING THE NEW BOUNDARIES?  States have the power to decide who will draw new districts.  Many states give this power to the state legislature.  Therefore, the majority party controls the process.

GERRYMANDERING  The process of drawing district boundaries to benefit a specific group or political party.

TYPES OF GERRYMANDERING  Pro-Incumbent Gerrymandering  Creating districts in favor of those already in power.  Partisan Gerrymandering  Creating districts in favor of a specific political party  Racial Gerrymandering  Creating districts to either favor or harm an ethnic or racial group.

 Using the maps, you will take on the process of drawing district boundaries.  Rules:  All districts must have 5 population units (R’s, D’s, and I’s count as a population unit)  Districts must be contiguous – cannot be split.