Algorithms and Other Tools for Fair Districting
Location
Room 232, Schewel Hall
Access Type
Campus Access Only
Entry Number
92
Start Date
4-5-2023 2:15 PM
End Date
4-5-2023 2:30 PM
College
Lynchburg College of Arts and Sciences
Department
Computer Science
Keywords
gerrymandering, districting
Abstract
The United State assigns House of Representative seats to each state based on population which the states further divide to districts of equal population. The shape of these districts is redrawn to account for changes in population and when that takes place the people given the responsibility of redrawing the districts have an opportunity to “gerrymander,” which is redrawing the districts specifically to disproportionately advantage one party or other group. Gerrymandering undermines the process of selecting representatives by allowing them to no longer be representative and so if it can be prevented, then it should. This paper will investigate how this process of redrawing districts can be more fair through the inclusion of technology. I will focus on the use of algorithms to replace the people who draw districts.
Faculty Mentor(s)
Dr. Will Briggs Dr. Laura Kicklighter Dr. Thomas Ales
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Algorithms and Other Tools for Fair Districting
Room 232, Schewel Hall
The United State assigns House of Representative seats to each state based on population which the states further divide to districts of equal population. The shape of these districts is redrawn to account for changes in population and when that takes place the people given the responsibility of redrawing the districts have an opportunity to “gerrymander,” which is redrawing the districts specifically to disproportionately advantage one party or other group. Gerrymandering undermines the process of selecting representatives by allowing them to no longer be representative and so if it can be prevented, then it should. This paper will investigate how this process of redrawing districts can be more fair through the inclusion of technology. I will focus on the use of algorithms to replace the people who draw districts.