Gerrymandering Case Study
Before the 2010 census, Missouri had 9 representatives in the United States House of Representatives. After the census, Missouri lost a representative and now only has 8 representatives in the United States House of Representatives. This process of altering the number of representatives in a state after a census is known as reapportionment. As a result of this change in representation, Missouri also redrew its districts. The process of redrawing districts due to a census is known as redistricting. Unfortunately, this can lead to gerrymandering. Gerrymandering is the process of using redistricting for the purpose of obtaining a partisan or factional advantage. In Missouri’s case, I do believe that the current districts were gerrymandered. The
two districts that were combined were both democratic. This means that the democrats had one less representative in the United States House of Representatives. In turn, the Republican Party now has a 6-2 advantage rather than a 6-3 advantage. In my opinion, gerrymandering goes against the democratic ideals of the United States of America. This process takes away equal representation guaranteed by the Constitution. Gerrymandering does not need to be changed, it needs to be outlawed. The citizens of the United States of America must protect their democratic ideals.
two districts that were combined were both democratic. This means that the democrats had one less representative in the United States House of Representatives. In turn, the Republican Party now has a 6-2 advantage rather than a 6-3 advantage. In my opinion, gerrymandering goes against the democratic ideals of the United States of America. This process takes away equal representation guaranteed by the Constitution. Gerrymandering does not need to be changed, it needs to be outlawed. The citizens of the United States of America must protect their democratic ideals.