The Redistricting Game

Common sense draw poltical boundries on county lines, and critera to limit vote packing. Incumbents both democrats, and republicans benefit from gerrymandering, or playmandering the system. Look at Delay in 2003 reforms are needed to have competitve elections.

YOu cant just go on county lines though, because you must have population equality. It is sometimes neccessary to break such hard lines.

Democracy is based on individuals having equal rights, Republics are based on states having equal rights. America is a Democratic Republic, individual rights have to be balanced with states' rights. I don't think the Electoral College is the main threat to democracy in America. STV would be a great system for ensuring Democracy WITHIN the states and fairness between states at a federal level.

Thanks for raising awareness, btw. I appreciate that.

Every American should demand an end to redistricting by political parties! It should be done by a non-partisan group every 10 years.

Or every election by an independently appointed organisation. Australia has no problems with the AEC.

I don't agree with the IRV. You're just adding another step. Plurality voting is just more straight forward.

More straight forward, and less democratic. I happen to prefer democracy over simplicity.

Of course, I live in Australia where IRV is used. I happen to favour STV (Single Transferable Vote) for American presidential elections. It fits in better with the history of the Electoral College. IRV is for single-member electorates.

We have a bicameral system for a reason. To make sure each state has a equal voice (The Senate) and to make sure the population of each state is effectively represented (The House). Its to make sure that the large states down override the small states and that the majority is still heard.

Agree with this comment. Bicameral systems put checks and balances in place in the legislative sector of government. In Australia our Senate works as a review body- no House legislation can pass without the approve of the Senate. A 2 house majority is required to pass most legislation, though usually the Senate allowed legislation drafted in the House to pass with revisions, even if the minor parties hold the Balance of Power.