The Partisan Consequences of Congressional Redistricting

Abstract

In an earlier examination of redistricting plans in the 1970s, the author found little evidence that gerrymanders were successful. A similar examination of gerrymanders in the 1980s finds that in many states they worked. The parties that drew the lines usually won more seats than they had before redistricting and they almost always held the seats created for them. In addition, redistricting parties usually got a higher percentage of seats than percentage of the vote. The author argues that a general decline in the competitiveness of House races accounts for the increased success of gerrymanders in the 1980s.