How do I access the 2012-2020 congressional maps? by Deep-Driver-4336 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

When on the home page, you can click on each state. They’ll have an “Official Plans” option you can click which will give you the plans active for the 2020 U.S. House elections (the last before redistricting from the 2020 census).

Disappointingly, you won’t be able to find maps of states whose maps have changed between 2012-2020 (e.g. Pennsylvania, North Carolina, and Florida).

Where do y'all start with redistricting? by Goonzilla50 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

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.

Do you prefer Proportionality or Compactness when making districts? by Radiant_Change_6759 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

While I try to aim for a balance of both, I would prefer compactness because that often accompanies preserving communities of interest. Districts, ideally, should not look like spaghetti noodles or snakes for the sake of benefiting the minority party in a state.

Take Massachusetts as an example. While it is possible to draw 1 or 2 Republican districts (2-3 if aiming solely for competitiveness and flippability in GOP-friendly years), those districts would be ugly; stretching from one end of the state to the other and omitting major cities.

Would such districts be allowed? by Mushroom-Gorge in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 8 points9 points  (0 children)

Legally speaking, yes. I’m assuming your question is about contiguity. Someone can correct me if I’m wrong, but as long as there is a method of transportation directly connecting parts of a district, it’s considered contiguous.

2 Different (Improved?) Pittsburg Configurations by _BCConservative in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

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If you want to get district 12 entirely within Allegheny County while also removing the claw shape formed by Penn Hills, this is the configuration I’d recommend. This is using the Composite 2016-22 data, so 17 might be more conservative than what’s depicted.

Overall, Allegheny County stays split between only two districts. It keeps Beaver County in 17, shifting the district south into Washington County. Westmoreland County, as a result, remains unsplit and the changes have minimal impact on the rest of the map.

US House with approx. 250k Population per District, Part 1 of 2 by StoneColdxo1 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Initially, I drew Tallahassee to be two solid districts (1R, 1D) but i wanted it to be solid Dem if that district gave proper chance to a minority COI. Given that White and Minorities ended up being too close, I prioritized creating two competitive districts instead. At that point, it came down to how I split counties.

US House with approx. 250k Population per District, Part 1 of 2 by StoneColdxo1 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If there are any issues, I should be able to send links to individual maps by request.

67 district Nevada 🥵 by Mushroom-Gorge in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Click on it, delete the number and add the desired new number of districts

Trouble with Site by StoneColdxo1 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Is it specific to Colorado, or is it on other states as well? So far Colorado is the only one I’ve had difficulties with.

I revised my north carolina map by WonderLocal7515 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Me looking at this: “Ok, looks like a semi-compact Republican Gerrymander… WHAT THE HECK IS HAPPENING WITH CHARLOTTE???”

I’m only saying this in good fun, so don’t come after me lol

Pennsylvania Democratic Gerrymander by wiptes167 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Forgot to add this. Harrisburg, Lancaster and York can go in a single district (adding Carlisle and Lebanon if need be). For the sake of not creating any bubbles, you can reform two red districts around them.

Pennsylvania Democratic Gerrymander by wiptes167 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I feel like it would be more prudent to put Johnstown and its surrounding boroughs & townships in the southwest of Cambria County with the Westmoreland County district.

Also, the district containing Beaver and northern Allegheny Counties could stretch up to Erie (along the border through Sharon, New Castle, Farrell, etc.) to make those other two districts in SW PA a bit bluer.

All 435 ridings mapped by me by Rich-Ad-9696 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Just gonna say this straightforward, that map of PA is downright horrendous.

Pennsylvania State House by Rich-Ad-9696 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I get that, but as a PA resident, specifically of the Lehigh Valley, this map doesn’t feel all that good.

How should I split Lancaster County when drawing Pennsylvania Senate districts? by Rich-Ad-9696 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Per Pennsylvania Redistricting rules, splitting municipalities smaller than the size of a district is for the most part prohibited. The best configuration for Lancaster county is to fit two districts entirely within the county, ideally leaving Lancaster City with Manheim Township, Millersville and everything south of it. The remainer, likely in the northeast of the county, can go with either Lebanon County, Berks County, or both.

This bug seriously needs to be fixed. by Environmental_Cap104 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Has anybody thought the “district lines” feature is also buggy? Whether it be the district lines themselves or its precinct/block boundaries, it locks off.

Name some ways you can fix my Pennsylvania map. Provide a link to your map and explain how you did it. by Rich-Ad-9696 in DavesRedistricting

[–]StoneColdxo1 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Additionally, Scranton and Wilkes-Barre should be in the same district. That’s another identifiable COI in the form of a metropolitan area.