The Self-Limiting Partisan Gerrymander: An Optimization Approach

Abstract

SummaryApplying optimization techniques to partisan gerrymandering yields profoundly disturbing results. If equipopulation is the only enforceable constraint, then an optimal redistricting would allow the party in control of the districting apparatus (the in-party) to produce a substantial disparity between the fraction of the total vote won by the party and the fraction of the legislative seats won by the party. Moreover, unrestricted partisan gerrymandering allows the in-party to engage in extremist politics without electoral consequences.