Legislative Branch

Question 1

Define Census

Answer 1

National count of population that is done every 10 years to determine House of Representatives and money.

Question 2

Define Reapportionment

Answer 2

The Bureau count determines how many people should be distributed in each Congressional and state legislative district. Based on this distribution, each state is allocated the number of seats in the House of Representatives.
-allocates $600 billion in federal funds annually. There is a loss of $2k for every person not counted
-it is also difficult to count because of immigrants, unhoused, and young families who don’t report (overwhelmed)

Question 3

Define Redistricting

Answer 3

Process of redrawing district lines after each census. This process is mandated by the SCOTUS.
This redrawing ensures that 80 assembly seats and 40 senate seats are roughly equal.

Question 4

Which court cases shaped redistricting?

Answer 4

Baker v Carr (1963): Set that courts will review redistricting plans.
Reynolds v. Sims: “1 person, 1 vote”

Question 5

What are the mandatory considerations for redistricting (1st tier)?

Answer 5

• Equal population (roughly)
  -Contiguity: has to be connected
  -Voting Rights Act and 14th Amendment

Question 6

What additional considerations frame redistricting (2nd tier; not mandatory)?

Answer 6

-Compactness
-Communities of Interest (ie. Santa Cruz and Monterey)
-Competitiveness (competitive seat is where either party can win)

Question 7

Define Partisan Gerrymandering

Answer 7

Manipulating lines to increase chances of getting party elected ; “splintering” (dividing parties among several districts to dilute strength) or “packing” a district (concentrating one party in one district to to enhance election chances for own part in other districts) (Ch. 7 PoD)
-except for California and some other states, this is done by the governor and legislature

Question 8

Define Bipartisan/Incumbant Gerrymandering

Answer 8

Manipulate lines to protect both parties. Sometimes found under divided government conditions.

Question 9

Define Racial Gerrymandering

Answer 9

Manipulating lines to dilute voting power of certain minority groups. This form in the U.S. experienced the greatest violations by trying to draw lines to diffuse the concentration of Blacks to lessen the chance of them electing a Black person.

Question 10

What are some possible reforms for gerrymandering?

Answer 10

-Proportional representation instead of First Past the post
-Independent Commission (take it out the hands of the politicians) –> Prop 11 (2008)

Question 11

Describe the make-up and duties of the Independent Commission

Answer 11

The commission is made up of five Democrats, five Republicans, and four others. It develops reasonable population districts, complies with the Voting Rights Act, minimizes splitting up counties and cities, considers communities of interest, geographically compact, can’t favor or discriminate political incumbents/parties/districts. Overall, it has been fair