Solution to Gerrymandering?

[Takket]

I just read something in another thread that kind of made a light bulb go off in my head, and I'm wondering if this could work.

Why don't we vote for reps based on what area code (telephone) you live in? The phone company dolls out area codes on a more or less consistent basis to keep a uniform amount of people in each area code. It is a system based purely on the logistics of population and geography, as opposed to the current system that is based on racism.

Could something like this work? I really don't know how logical it is or if you might have some area codes with only a few tens of thousands of people while others have well over a million........

[elleng]

1. Might have BUT

NOW we with cell phones take them wherever we go. I'm no longer in the same area, even 'state' as I was when I first got my cell phone.

[Travis_0004]

2. Ohio has 10 area codes and 16 districts.

Your idea would work in Montanna though. They must be doing something right, they have never been accused of gerrymandering.

[Angleae]

3. You're going to need to invent a few more area codes.

Somewhat over a hundred new ones.

[Jenoch]

4. I do not think it is a good idea to rely on

a commercial entity to decide the boundries of our U.S. House districts.

[1StrongBlackMan]

5. The best solution to gerrymandering I can think of is ...

registering and engaging the 55+% of eligible voter (in every district) that do not consistently vote.

[ncjustice80]

6. The best solution is probably to get rid of districts entirely and vote as a state.

Now, considering we generally outnumber rethugs in most states, it will be jist too bad that the strongly Rethuglican areas will get stuck with liberal representatives...

[SheilaT]

8. No. You're suggesting that all representatives be elected at large.

I can see a total domination by the majority party state by state. Not a good thing.

The real solution is to have the districts drawn up with absolutely no input about voter registration or voting. Simply by numbers.

Some years ago I took a population geography class in college. Very interesting. One small project we did was to draw Congressional districts in some state. I remember how hard it was to make the districts as equal as possible in population, and I don't think we even had the party registration or voting information. So do it strictly by population. I'm guessing computer programs could be written that would actually accomplish this.

added on edit: And there is a certain value in having specific representatives for specific districts, which would be lost if the districts were eliminated entirely.

[ncjustice80]

9. Well, if they elect Rethuglicans I dont see any value:p

Besides, isnt majority rules the foundation of democracy? Not my fault we have the majority in practically every metropolitan area...

[Thinkingabout]

7. Now there is a thought, GOP has created districts counting on having a larger

Number of Republicans so they control the voting turnout. Perhaps if we ran voter registering recruiting all possible democrats in Republican controlled districts it would upset the apple cart.

[SoCalDem]

10. Computerized grid slapped on the whole USA map

There are ways to compensate for population differences.. The post office has a zipcode system that divides places up very nicely.

The founders thought that 30K (estimated) was the perfect sized district. Of course we are more modern now, but WY has about 1/2 a million people and one rep, so perhaps that could the the upper limit...

Let the chips fall where they may..some D districts would be more R, and vice versa

[CK_John]

11. You need 50 solutions because that is our type of government. I know process is so yesterday

but do you know in your state who does the setting of boundaries and how often.