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Class 9a: Political Geography II

Class 9a: Political Geography II. Reapportionment and redistricting Gerrymandering Local politics. Proportional representation. VA Plan vs. NJ Plan  Great Compromise Large states wanted proportional repr. Small states wanted equal repr. 3/5 Compromise on slaves.

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Class 9a: Political Geography II

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  1. Class 9a: Political Geography II • Reapportionment and redistricting • Gerrymandering • Local politics

  2. Proportional representation • VA Plan vs. NJ Plan  Great Compromise • Large states wanted proportional repr. • Small states wanted equal repr. • 3/5 Compromise on slaves

  3. Proportional representation • 100 Senators, 435 Representatives • Basis for Electoral College • All votes are not equal • Minimum representation • Winner-take-all

  4. Reapportionment • Population changes with migration • Need to reapportion seats • Based on Census • Every state keeps at least one Representative • Method of equal proportions

  5. 2000 Reapportionment

  6. Redistricting • Redrawing district boundaries based on reapportionment • In most states, done by legislature • Meant to maintain equality of votes • Can be manipulated

  7. Gerrymandering • Discriminatory redistricting • Consolidating power • Diluting opponents’ power

  8. Gerrymandering • Racist gerrymandering after Civil War • Put all minorities in one district • Dilute them among all districts • 1982 Voting Rights Act • Majority-minority districts • Constitutional issues

  9. IL: 4th District TX: 12th District FL: 22nd and 23rd Districts GA: 13th District NY: 18th District

  10. Gerrymandering 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 competitive

  11. Gerrymandering and democracy • Removes decision-making from voters • “Candidates choose the voters” • More polarized Congress

  12. Local politics • Hierarchy of jurisdictions • Special-purpose districts • Local governments and urban sprawl

  13. Hierarchy of jurisdictions • First order divisions • Largest units within a state • Provinces, states, oblasts, prefectures • Unitary vs. federal

  14. Hierarchy 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, elections

  15. Hierarchy of jurisdictions • Minor civil divisions • Townships, cities, villages • Land use and zoning • Growth by annexation

  16. Special purpose districts • Consequence of federal system • Territory and organization for one purpose • Fire, water, flood control, mosquito control, irrigation, etc. • Over 35,000 in 2002

  17. School 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 income

  18. Urban sprawl • Too much local decision-making • Each MCD acts in its own interests • Maximize tax revenue • Minimize need for services • Reluctance for regional government

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