Steemit techies, could algorithms fix the problem of gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the manipulation of the boundaries of an electoral area and its districts so as to favor one party or class
This is a major problem in the US right now and the catalyst for many lawsuits
Interesting question from a viewer: Can Algorithms Fix Gerrymandering & Biased Redistricting?
The viewer cites a Carnegie Mellon algorithm. I'd be interested to hear what Steemians think about algorithms like this one which would potentially remove the ideological bias from how districts are drawn
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A simple grid pattern could fix Gerrymandering. Paper ballots could fix voting irregularities. This stuff is far from rocket science.
yeah but those solutions aren't appealing politically
Just using an algorithm doesn't necessarily remove bias. The actual results of any one algorithm can vary widely depending on the criteria used. Here's a Medium article that shows how some of the popular proposals for redistricting will often make states more gerrymandered.
As long as one party decides what algorithm will be used, they will still be able to pack and crack districts to their hearts' desire. As long as a bipartisan commission is deciding the criteria used, redistricting by algorithm makes sense.
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I like yours post
morning .. a very valuable possibility for people around the world .. every country must happen thing you posting.politik justify all sorts of ways to win. it also happened in my country.
It probably can work. I assume that these nonpartisan state commissions (in the states that have given up on the politicized ones) use some sort of mapping that takes into account the various demographics. We know they need to consider population, race, and political party registrations, so I'm sure someone has a program that can account for these and ask the computer to use a strong preference for using natural lines as boundaries, such as county borders or rivers.
It always depends on who made the algorithm. I could imagine that a sort-of america-only open-source-system could be programmed, that is drawing the districts automatically, and without knowledge of who would vote for which party. Just going sort-of grid-based, but in a way that in each district there is the same amount of people. Maybe there can be exceptions to give minorities a vote ...
But in the end, just another voting system, probably based on the popular vote, would be the simplest solution.
I shall admit I have not a clue what this is !!