Proposal: Antimandering

[maskedretriever]

Gerrymandering is an issue almost nobody's paying attention to, but it's a huge part of the political problem in the US. Parties in power re-draw lines to make themselves more in power, the process ratchets, and ultimately all districts are safe and the only way to get kicked out of a seat is to not be radical enough so you get hit with a primary

Comments

[erelin]

Well, but power doesn't run with states, it runs with parties. Gerrymandering is actually an easy thing for both parties to agree to, as it 'solidifies' each one's power base. This is enhanced when party members believe their own superiority, so having a solidified base is better for them. The only groups that are truly for "antimandering" would either be disenfranchised in the current parties (and thus, have little ability to sway such a process) or be huge proponents of state's rights. (to the point where they are willing to risk their party and their solid base for that principle)

Unfortunately, as officials compete with each other by party and not by state in elections (which is where gerrymandering is useful to them) there is actually less incentive to engage in antimandering than there is in instant runoff.