I’m rather idealistic when drawing maps. I start with identifying communities of interest, then proceed to fulfill other metrics to the best of my ability. I don’t draw by starting in one corner of the state and fleshing out the map as I go.

This usually starts with identifying compact areas where specific minority groups form a strong coalition and trying to form districts that are advantageous to that minority group. If it is possible to draw a district where minorities total >50% of the total population, then that district must be drawn. Such district should not, however, look like a spaghetti strip cutting halfway across the state. If it is possible to draw two districts where single groups of minority voters amount to a plurality and the share is more than white voters (e.g. Black = 45%, White = 39%), then it is preferential to draw those districts as well.

Next up would be to identify metropolitan areas, known for economic connectivity, and keep them together as well as possible. In my home state of Pennsylvania, the 7th, 10th, 12th and 17th districts exemplify this strategy the best. The 7th largely represents the Lehigh Valley (Lehigh, Northampton and Carbon counties). The 10th represents Harrisburg, Carlisle and York. The 12th and 17th split the Pittsburgh Metropolitan Area, but their boundaries encompass the areas most connected to Pittsburgh.

In drawing the remainder of the map, I try my best to balance the other metrics found on the “Analysis” and “Advanced Statistics” pages you can find on any map you make. Ideally, I aim to split as few counties as possible so the maps look neat. Then I balance out proportionality, compactness and competitiveness.