Re: Redistricting
Redistricting is a critical election reform that will move us back toward a truly representative democracy. Due to highly sophisticated computer programs that map using voting history and socio-economic data, districts can now be drawn to assure an incumbent state legislator or congressional representative that he or she will beat any opponents from other parties. That's why, in California last year, there were no competitive Congressional races involving incumbents.
Millions of Americans don't vote. They say that it doesn't matter because their vote doesn't count. When it comes to these legislative races, sadly, they're right. And, an artifact from this gerrymandering is that, since primaries are more competitive than the general elections, candidates pander more and more to the extremes of their base because those are the folks most likely to vote in a primary election.
The way to reinvigorate the political process is to make sure that elected legislators reflect their electorate. Campaigns should be a contest of ideas, played out in districts that respect community boundaries, instead of ridiculously odd-shaped districts created to maintain the power of those already elected.
Our Common Cause website has lots of good information on the redistricting issue. Massachusetts's site has lots of background. Check it out.
Barbara Burt, Common Cause Election Reform Team Leader | 
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