New Research: Even Computers Can't Remove Human Bias from Redistricting
“Redistricting algorithms do not exist on a store shelf for the state to purchase and plug in the requisite number of districts into which the state should be sorted. Someone has to create the algorithm. And that person will bring some level of bias to the task.”
Then there’s the matter of what data to use in the algorithm. Plans for how to solve gerrymandering abound, which again requires a person to decide among the options a computer could generate.Which is why Luther concludes by posing a new question that Michigan voters must answer in the upcoming ballot question: “who should be responsible for choosing the criteria used in these algorithms and selecting the final output that will sort us as voters?”It’s a good question. The answer is the Fair Representation Act, a bill introduced in Congress that combines nonpartisan redistricting commissions with ranked choice voting and multi-winner districts to create fairer and democratic elections. We can end gerrymandering, no algorithm needed.Read his full column here.Editor's Note: This quick take originally published on FairVote's website.Photo Credit: ShotPrime / shutterstock.com
About the Author
Fair Vote
FairVote acts to transform our elections to achieve secure access to participation for all, a full spectrum of meaningful ballot choices and majority rule with fair representation. As a catalyst for change, we build support for innovative strategies to win a constitutionally protected right to vote, universal voter registration, a national popular vote for president, instant runoff voting and proportional voting.