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

Rights Statement

The right to download or print any portion of this material is granted by the copyright owner only for personal or educational use. The author/creator retains all proprietary rights, including copyright ownership. Any editing, other reproduction or other use of this material by any means requires the express written permission of the copyright owner. Except as provided above, or for any other use that is allowed by fair use (Title 17, §107 U.S.C.), you may not reproduce, republish, post, transmit or distribute any material from this web site in any physical or digital form without the permission of the copyright owner of the material.

Share

Import Event to Google Calendar

COinS
 
Apr 5th, 2:15 PM Apr 5th, 2:30 PM

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.