Forum Redistricting Commission

[Sol]

I don't know about you all, but I've been craving some sort of redistricting activity. So I think it would be fun to have some sort of redistricting commission, to act as a sort of model for how these things will work  out in real life.

Like most real-life commissions, we should have a bipartisan balance of Democrats/Left-leaners and Pubbies/Righ-leaners. So maybe four of each?

Also, we'll need criteria to use. I suppose we can decide that together.

What state would be good?

Anyone interested?

Moderator's note: The definitions and criteria adopted by the FRC are in a separate locked thread for easy access.

[JerryArkansas]

I suggest we do either IL or do Texas.  And I'll love to be in on this.

[RedSLC]

I'd like to be in on this as well.

[Dixie Reborn]

Count me in!

[Frodo]

You might want to include some (genuine) independents as well.  Averroes Nix, Mr. Morden, Mr. Wulfric, among others that haven't immediately come to mind...   

[JerryArkansas]

I would also love to have Muon in on this, he might have some fun with this.

[Miles]

I'm probably non a 'genuine' independent, but I have lots of experience making fair maps; Jerry can vouch for me!

[Sol]

You might want to include some (genuine) independents as well.  Averroes Nix, Mr. Morden, Mr. Wulfric, among others that haven't immediately come to mind...   

Well, I was suggesting left-leaning/right-leaning to include those folks. But if they wanna come in as independents, they're welcome. Rules ain't strict.

[muon2]

Let me propose the following. A commission of five or seven members is determined by lot from among those interested with no party having a majority. The commission agrees to the criteria and software (presumably DRA) and is in charge of making sure that the criteria are followed. They can also be arbiters of things like VRA compliance. I'd be happy to act as a consultant on measurable criteria, based on the various rubrics we've tested here in the past.

Once the criteria are set for a state then the public (including the commission) can propose maps for the state for a fixed period of time. Proposed maps are posted here so that the public can view all maps, and propose new maps that improve upon existing proposals. At the end of the time period the commission votes from those maps that best meet the criteria. In this way the map is crowdsourced under the auspices of the commission, and everyone gets some say in the process.

As to the state, I would suggest VA since its congressional plan was just struck down by the court, pending appeal.

[Sol]

Let me propose the following. A commission of five or seven members is determined by lot from among those interested with no party having a majority. The commission agrees to the criteria and software (presumably DRA) and is in charge of making sure that the criteria are followed. They can also be arbiters of things like VRA compliance. I'd be happy to act as a consultant on measurable criteria, based on the various rubrics we've tested here in the past.

Once the criteria are set for a state then the public (including the commission) can propose maps for the state for a fixed period of time. Proposed maps are posted here so that the public can view all maps, and propose new maps that improve upon existing proposals. At the end of the time period the commission votes from those maps that best meet the criteria. In this way the map is crowdsourced under the auspices of the commission, and everyone gets some say in the process.

As to the state, I would suggest VA since its congressional plan was just struck down by the court, pending appeal.

I think that sounds fine.

[Del Tachi]

Sounds like fun!  I'll submit maps to the commission if its not too intensive (i.e., don't do a state like CA, TX, or IL)

[traininthedistance]

I suppose I'm the sort of person who ought to be involved in this, and it sounds like a great idea, but I might be a bit too busy to commit to anything ATM.  Um... put me down for a firm "probably".

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

Sounds good to me, I'm game!

[muon2]

Here's who I have as applicants for the commission with affiliation based on avatar. You can add or remove your name as you wish. I propose that applications be accepted until Friday 11/21/14 11:59 pm EST.

Sol (I)
JerryArkansas (R)
SLCValleyMan (G)
Dixie (R)
Frodo (D)?
Miles (I)
Del Tachi (R)
traininthedistance (D)??
X (G)

[morgieb]

Might be interested. In any case seems a good idea.

[Gass3268]

Ugh, I wish my DRA still worked.

[muon2]

Ugh, I wish my DRA still worked.

But you can still be selected for the commission.

[Bacon King]

Oooh I want in!

[Del Tachi]

I'm fine with being nominated

[Frodo]

Here's who I have as applicants for the commission with affiliation based on avatar. You can add or remove your name as you wish. I propose that applications be accepted until Friday 11/21/14 11:59 pm EST.

Sol (I)
JerryArkansas (R)
SLCValleyMan (G)
Dixie (R)
Frodo (D)?
Miles (I)
Del Tachi (R)
traininthedistance (D)??
X (G)

Thanks for the mention, but you can remove me from the list.  I was just commenting on the proposal, that's all.  I'll leave the map-drawing to those who really know what they are doing...    

[ElectionsGuy]

I'm interested

[Bacon King]

Updated list!

JerryArkansas (R)
Dixie (R)
Del Tachi (R)

traininthedistance (D)??
Averroes Nix (D)
Morgieb (D)?
Gass (D)?
Bacon King (D)

Sol (I)
Miles (I)
X (G)
SLCValleyMan (G)
Electionsguy (L)

[Bacon King]

Also what preferences does everyone have for states? The biggest question to figure out is the number of districts we want to work with, I think. Which categories in the following tier list are acceptable to y'all? At what point, if any, will the exercise become too big or too small?

Big Four: CA/TX/FL/NY
Large States: IL/PA/OH/MI/GA/NC
Medium States: NJ/VA/WA/AZ/IN/TN/MA
Small States: MD/WI/MO/MN/AL/SC/CO
Tiny States: KY/LA/CT/OK/OR
Simple States: the rest (four districts or less)

[Fuzzybigfoot]

me too let me in let me in nao 

[muon2]

Also what preferences does everyone have for states? The biggest question to figure out is the number of districts we want to work with, I think. Which categories in the following tier list are acceptable to y'all? At what point, if any, will the exercise become too big or too small?

Big Four: CA/TX/FL/NY
Large States: IL/PA/OH/MI/GA/NC
Medium States: NJ/VA/WA/AZ/IN/TN/MA
Small States: MD/WI/MO/MN/AL/SC/CO
Tiny States: KY/LA/CT/OK/OR
Simple States: the rest (four districts or less)

I still think VA is most interesting since it is currently under scrutiny by the court. If the VRA makes the issue too complex in VA, I'd stick to states that are medium or smaller for an initial run.