Incumbency and Gerrymandering

Question 1

What is a limitation of incumbency

Answer 1

Gives an unfair advantage to those with more name

They can often outspend competitors and they have more expertise and experience

Can create voter apathy

Question 2

What was the 2022 senate re-election rate

Answer 2

100%

Question 3

What was the 2018 house re-election rate

Answer 3

97%

Question 4

Name 2 incumbents

Answer 4

Incumbents like Senator Dick Durbin (Illinois) and Senator Mitch McConnell have held their seats for decades, causing voter apathy.

Question 5

Fact about Mitch McConnells re-election

Answer 5

In McConnell’s 2020 re-election, despite massive Democratic support, he won with 58% of the vote, showing how difficult it is for challengers to break through.

Question 6

Example of funding benefitting incumbents in 2020

Answer 6

2020 incumbents in the house raised nearly 5x more money than challengers, making it incredibly difficult for outsiders to win

Question 7

Gerrymandering case that was ignored by the supreme court

Answer 7

Rucho v Common clause 2019

(partisan gerrymandering was an issue beyond the courts)
However, still deals with racial gerrymandering

Question 8

Example of racial gerrymandering being difficult to prove?

Answer 8

Alexander v NAACP 2024

SCOTUS found NC as not racially gerrymandering even though the lower courts did

Question 9

Example of SCOTUS differing a gerrymandering case back to the lower courts

Answer 9

NAACP v North Carolina 2022

gerrymandering against black voters