What is a “gerrymander-proof” map?
A “gerrymander-proof” map is an electoral map that is drawn in such a way that it prevents the manipulation of electoral districts in order to give one political party an advantage over another. Such maps are typically drawn using impartial algorithms, or calculations, in order to ensure that each district is nearly equal in population and as compact and contiguous as possible. In Texas, the Texas Constitution sets out specific criteria for how a voting map should be drawn. Specifically, the Constitution states that maps should be drawn with “one person, one vote” in mind and that district boundaries should be drawn in conformance with “communities of interest”. The Constitution further mandates that maps should not be drawn to favor or disfavor any political party, thereby helping to ensure that a “gerrymander-proof” map is created. The Texas Legislature is also required to draw maps that comply with the Voting Rights Act, a federal law that prohibits the intentional dilution of minority voting power, and the Texas Constitution, which states that race cannot be used to draw map boundaries. This helps to ensure that minority communities have fair representation in the state’s electoral process. By requiring that impartial algorithms be used to create “gerrymander-proof” maps and by not allowing political party favoritism or racial discrimination in the drawing of the maps, Texas has taken steps to ensure fair and equitable representation in its electoral process.
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