Unmasking “Packing” and “Cracking” for Racial or Partisan Purposes

Peter A. Morrison and Thomas M. Bryan
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Peter A. Morrison: Peter A. Morrison & Associates
Thomas M. Bryan: Bryan GeoDemographics

Chapter Chapter 10 in Redistricting: A Manual for Analysts, Practitioners, and Citizens, 2019, pp 75-85 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter illustrates how to documents and understand two recognized forms of vote dilution—“packing” and “cracking”—whether for racial or partisan purposes. Dallas County illustrates the steps in detecting racial vote dilution in districts redrawn after the 2010 census. The new district boundaries effectively disenfranchised one-ninth of all White voters countywide, and one-tenth of Black voters. Maryland’s 6th Congressional District illustrates gerrymandering for apparent partisan purpose. Here “packing” and “cracking” flipped the district from Republican to Democratic control. This case study illustrates the steps in documenting: (1) systematic dismemberment of an existing district through the excessive interchange of territory and population; (2) disregard of communities of interest; and (3) a partisan aim—here, replacing Republican voters with Democrats. It also unveils a worrisome legacy: the further residential separation of new outsiders from the long-established populace, potentially undermining commonalities of interest tied to place.

Keywords: Cracking; Disenfranchise; Gerrymander; Packing; Vote dilution (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:spr:sprchp:978-3-030-15827-9_10

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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-15827-9_10

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