KERA's Think The winners and losers of gerrymandering
4 snips
Aug 15, 2025 
Samuel Wang, a neuroscience professor and leader of Princeton's Gerrymandering Project, discusses the intricate dance of gerrymandering in Texas and nationwide. He explores how redistricting efforts, spurred by political pressures, potentially stifle voter representation. Wang analyzes strategies like 'cracking' and 'packing' that manipulate district shapes, and highlights innovative solutions like ranked choice voting to combat these issues. The conversation delves into the implications for democracy and the role of primary elections in shaping politicians.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Lines Can Let Politicians Choose Voters
- District lines can invert democracy by letting politicians effectively choose their voters.
- Samuel Wang warns that drawing districts critically determines who gets represented and can make representation nominal.
Court Avoids National Gerrymander Rule
- The Supreme Court has repeatedly avoided a national standard on partisan gerrymandering.
- Wang explains the Court labels it non-justiciable and leaves regulation to states or Congress.
Voting Rights Act Shapes Race-Based Maps
- Federal law still restricts race-based districting under the Voting Rights Act.
- Wang says Section 2 protects cohesive racial groups' representation but faces legal threats.
