Gerrymandering in Virginia (Richmond: neighborhood, move to, title)

[mjs1987]

Both Republicans and Democrats gerrymander. In recent years, the GOP has focused on winning state legislatures and governors just for that reason. In the early 2000s, the SCOTUS allowed for unlimited re-districting instead of re-districting only during census years. The Democrats dont complain because they benefit fom gerrymandering in states they control. Gerrymandering is why the GOP maintained the house majority as it didnt allow for coattails wins in places like Ohio and Virginia. You can complain about it now because your side lost the state legislature but you wouldnt be complaining if your side was benefiting fom it.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by mjs1987

Both Republicans and Democrats gerrymander. In recent years, the GOP has focused on winning state legislatures and governors just for that reason. In the early 2000s, the SCOTUS allowed for unlimited re-districting instead of re-districting only during census years. The Democrats dont complain because they benefit fom gerrymandering in states they control. Gerrymandering is why the GOP maintained the house majority as it didnt allow for coattails wins in places like Ohio and Virginia. You can complain about it now because your side lost the state legislature but you wouldnt be complaining if your side was benefiting fom it.

At least you understand what's going on and provided an honest assessment. I have a feeling most of the citizens of this state have no clue about it (thus the ticket-splitting hypothesis mentioned in a previous post). I agree that it's practiced on both sides but I think we could do better.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by mjs1987

In the early 2000s, the SCOTUS allowed for unlimited re-districting instead of re-districting only during census years.

Federal law allows a state to re-district once every 10 years. Most states do this shortly after a census. Some don't. But this should not be translated into "unlimited redistricting".

Originally Posted by mjs1987

Both Republicans and Democrats gerrymander.

Yes, you are correct. This is done on both sides all over the country.

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

At least you understand what's going on and provided an honest assessment. I have a feeling most of the citizens of this state have no clue about it (thus the ticket-splitting hypothesis mentioned in a previous post). I agree that it's practiced on both sides but I think we could do better.

I don't think gerrymandering is the reason for the split for the specific district you posted about in your original post. Virginia District 10 actually lost a large chunk of Faquier county and a smaller chunk of Warren county in the redistricting done this year. As Faquier and Warren counties are historically right-leaning (also proved again this year), it would seem that Wolf actually lost a good chunk of his base with the redistricting. "Ticket splitting" and "not voting strictly on party lines" are valid hypotheses, and not necessarily provided by the uninformed.

[spleuchan]

Originally Posted by spencgr

I don't think gerrymandering is the reason for the split for the specific district you posted about in your original post. Virginia District 10 actually lost a large chunk of Faquier county and a smaller chunk of Warren county in the redistricting done this year. As Faquier and Warren counties are historically right-leaning (also proved again this year), it would seem that Wolf actually lost a good chunk of his base with the redistricting. "Ticket splitting" and "not voting strictly on party lines" are valid hypotheses, and not necessarily provided by the uninformed.

In gerrymandering, the goal isn't to get your side to have a huge majority of the votes in each district. Actually, its the opposite. You want a 55/45 or 60/40 advantage in the ones you win and be as close to 0/100 in the ones you lose.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by spleuchan

In gerrymandering, the goal isn't to get your side to have a huge majority of the votes in each district. Actually, its the opposite. You want a 55/45 or 60/40 advantage in the ones you win and be as close to 0/100 in the ones you lose.

The goal of gerrymandering is to obtain a political advantage by the drawing of district lines. There are many different tactics to achieve this. One would assume the ultimate goal of redistricting for a particular party is to not lose any districts.

[CAVA1990]

Originally Posted by spencgr

The goal of gerrymandering is to obtain a political advantage by the drawing of district lines. There are many different tactics to achieve this. One would assume the ultimate goal of redistricting for a particular party is to not lose any districts.

Actually it's to maximize the number of districts that vote with your party. It may include redistricting stonger incumbents like Wolf into more evenly divided districts so as to yield more lopsided distributions in others where incumbents aren't as strong.

[bornindc]

The gerrymandering that is done at both the state and federal level is ridiculous. Whoever happens to be in power (Democrat or Republican) does it so the ones who really get shafted by it are challengers and the people generally. I'd love to have Virginia adopt a non-partisan entity to carve up realistic districts but I'm not holding my breath (the Virginia Senate actually passed this last year but the Republican house shot it down of course). We might actually get some competion for some seats then. But of course if it did pass there'd be a lot of behind the scenes sculduggery to game the redistricting too as has happened in California: How Democrats Fooled California’s Redistricting Commission - ProPublica

Originally Posted by eyeball

You're assuming that everyone is a partisan and votes the party ticket right down the line.

Exactly right. I'm an independent and I usually end up voting for Dems and Republicans in the same election.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by CAVA1990

Actually it's to maximize the number of districts that vote with your party. It may include redistricting stonger incumbents like Wolf into more evenly divided districts so as to yield more lopsided distributions in others where incumbents aren't as strong.

Bob Goodlatte has won District 6 by over 60% in all of his races since elected in 1992. Not sure he needed additional help from District 10 Wolf voters.

[spencgr]

Originally Posted by bornindc

Exactly right. I'm an independent and I usually end up voting for Dems and Republicans in the same election.

Agreed. I vote based on the specific person and their views. While I usually lean one way, I've voted for both major parties as well as third parties.

[dkf747]

Does all this gerrymandering going on mean that we are not a real democracy?