Language may not be appropriate for younger audiences

by | Mar 15, 2023 | Government

This is a discussion assignment in American Government course. Answer 2 questions below:
1) New Congressional Districts have been drawn.
a) You may want to watch John Oliver explain and poke fun at gerrymandering (some of the language may not be appropriate for younger audiences). Last Week Tonight: Gerrymandering ( https://video.search.yahoo.com/search/video?fr=mcafee&ei=UTF8&p=Last+Week+Tonight+With+John+Oliver+Election+Subversion&type=E211US105G91646#id=13&vid=ed33d173a55cf97583bc82446a66a1fc&action=view (copy this link and watch it to answer this question.
b) Using this link ” https://www.270towin.com/my-new-congressional-district/index.php?s=MTE4OTIgR2FyeSBTdCwgR2FyZGVuIEdyb3ZlLCBDQSA5Mjg0MA==” , explain how your district lines have changed.
Next, explain how these district lines are determined. Who or what in California has the power to redraw these congressional district lines? What is the process?
Properly cite your sources.

Sample Solution

My new congressional district is located in Garden Grove, California and according to the link provided https://www.270towin.com/my-new-congressional-district/index.php?s=MTE4OTIgR2FyeSBTdCwgR2FyZGVuIEdyb3ZlLCBDQSA5Mjg0MA== it has been redrawn based on the 2010 United States Census data that was used as a basis for determining new districts across the country. The lines of my district were determined by a 14-member commission called the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) which is made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four people who have declined to state their party affiliation. This commission was created in 2008 with Proposition 11 which gave them authority over redistricting both state senate and assembly districts as well as Congressional Districts in California once every 10 years following each census.

Sample Solution

My new congressional district is located in Garden Grove, California and according to the link provided https://www.270towin.com/my-new-congressional-district/index.php?s=MTE4OTIgR2FyeSBTdCwgR2FyZGVuIEdyb3ZlLCBDQSA5Mjg0MA== it has been redrawn based on the 2010 United States Census data that was used as a basis for determining new districts across the country. The lines of my district were determined by a 14-member commission called the Citizens Redistricting Commission (CRC) which is made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four people who have declined to state their party affiliation. This commission was created in 2008 with Proposition 11 which gave them authority over redistricting both state senate and assembly districts as well as Congressional Districts in California once every 10 years following each census.

The process for drawing these lines begins with a public comment period where citizens are allowed to give input on how they would like to see their district boundaries drawn followed by an application review period where applicants must meet certain criteria set forth by Prop 11 such as being registered voters or have experience mapping or working with communities or demographics such as race and ethnicity among other requirements after which 5 finalists from each party as well two nonpartisans are chosen by members of the California State Legislature that are randomly selected through a lottery system. After this phase is complete those 14 commissioners then vote on proposed maps generated using suggestions given during public comments while taking into account population balance, geographic size, contiguity (where parts of one district should not be separated from another), keeping cities together whenever possible etc.. In order for any map to pass at least 9 out of 14 commissioners must approve it thus avoiding bias due to partisan politics when creating proposed maps

Sources:

O’Sullivan, M., & McCain Jr., JN. (2017). Redistricting Law: A Guide To Current Practice And Law (3rd ed.). ABA Publishing: Chicago IL USA
California Citizens Redistricting Commission Website “Redistricting Process” Accessed March 21st 2021 https://wedrawthelines.ca.gov/process/#step1

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