What is a “gerrymander-proof” map?
A “gerrymander-proof” map is a map for voting districts that is carefully designed to avoid creating unfair advantages for any particular party or candidates. Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing voting boundaries in a way that favors a political party or a group of candidates, and it has become a contentious issue in election law. In West Virginia, the goal of gerrymandering-proof maps is to create districts that are geographically compact and that divide the population into districts of roughly equal size. The district boundaries should also respect natural geographical and cultural boundaries. This helps to ensure that the boundaries between districts don’t give one party or candidate an unfair advantage. In addition to geographic and population considerations, gerrymander-proof maps must also respect the Voting Rights Act of 1965. This act bars any map from diminishing the voting strength of minority voters. Gerrymandering-proof maps require a great deal of research and analysis to create. This includes looking at factors such as population size, cultural divides, voter trends, and the ways in which particular voting districts could benefit the party or candidates in question. In West Virginia, the legislative redistricting process is managed by an independent commission. This commission is charged with creating voting boundaries that will make sure that all voting districts are fair and equitable. This helps to ensure that the practice of gerrymandering does not take place in the state.
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