Myers on the CommonCensus Project and Redistricting
Thanks to KQED’s John Myers of the Capitol Notes blog for the link; check out his comments on the post below:
Whether this research turns out to be valid remains unknown… but just a quick glance at the California map suggests that like-minded people aren’t bound by traditional borders. And that’s one of the challenges for drawing political maps that allow full participation by all.
The “research” that CommonCensus is pursuing is decidely unscientific, but the idea behind the site is certainly worthwhile, providing an excellent example of how “communities of interest” might be redrawn by the people themselves. As Myers suggests, demographics splay out in irregular ways that defy the official borders of cities and counties.
The survey contains a vast amount of data about fees, taxes, costs, and incentives that affect business in more than 400 communities nationwide. Updated annually, it is a valuable resource for cities, businesses, and developers.
I think that the base assumption that an individual is best represented by the winner of a single member district is flawed regardless of how that district is drawn.
Why not instead have a system where each individual can directly choose whom they wish to represent them from amongst those who wish to serve?
http://allaboutvoting.com/2007/07/15/filling-up-the-house/
by AllAboutVoting
on 28. Nov, 2007