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Much Ado About Nothing? Compactness Criteria in Redistricting
Topics: Political Geography
, United States
, Behavioral Geography
Keywords: redistricting, elections, political institutions Session Type: Virtual Paper Abstract Day: Saturday Session Start / End Time: 2/26/2022 02:00 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) - 2/26/2022 03:20 PM (Eastern Time (US & Canada)) Room: Virtual 30
Authors:
Peter Miller, Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law
Steven Kimbrough, Wharton School
Lee Hachadoorian, Temple University
Frederic Murphy, Temple University
Christian Haas, Vienna University of Economics and Business
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Abstract
District compactness refers to the shape and appearance of a district and its deviation from a “normal” shape. While the visual appearance of a non-compact congressional district attracts considerable commentary, it is not clear in the literature or in the relevant state and federal court cases whether the compactness of a district is related to indicators of partisan gerrymandering, minority representation, and incumbent protection. We relate district compactness-as measured by five methods-to turnout, competition, Democratic vote share, and partisan symmetry in U.S. House races over three complete redistricting cycles between 1992 and 2020. While we find few effects of compact-ness directly, we observe that courts and commissions draw district plans that are both more compact and less biased than legislative-drawn plans. We conclude compactness is not a meaningful indicator for redistricting analyses.
Much Ado About Nothing? Compactness Criteria in Redistricting
