For more information about the competition, click here. All submissions are due by 11:59PM EDT on June 15, 2021.
[Read more →]What is differential privacy and could it affect redistricting?
June 2nd, 2021, 5:05pm by Zachariah Sippy
In March, Alabama sued the U.S. Department of Commerce. At the heart of their suit is the claim that the Census Bureau’s disclosure avoidance system— designed to protect the privacy of census respondents, inhibits the state from accurately redistricting.
Alabama, along with more than 15 other states, has argued that the Bureau’s privacy scheme is “arbitrary and capricious,” and may even violate the Voting Rights Act and/or Fifth Amendment.
[Read more →]In Monday’s new apportionment, who will lose, Alabama or New York?
April 24th, 2021, 12:34pm by Sam Wang
On Monday afternoon at 3 p.m., the Commerce Department is expected to release the new apportionment from the 2020 Census. It will be posted here, and there will be a press conference on Census Live. Generally, southwestern states will win Congressional seats; the northeast and California will lose. There’s some uncertainty as to whether Alabama will lose 0 or 1 seat, and whether New York will lose 1 or 2 seats. The Census Project has an explainer. Finally, check out this deep dive into historical trends from CUNY’s Redistricting and You.
Update: And the answer is…neither! There are seven seat changes, the smallest of any year going back to 1910 (leaving out the failed reapportionment of 1920). For an overview see my Tweetstorm. More soon…
News reports are saying the Census's reapportionment numbers are a gain for Republicans, a loss for Democrats. A short thread on why this is not entirely true – and why the biggest uncertainties lie ahead, in redistricting.
— Sam Wang (@SamWangPhD) April 27, 2021
Building Democracy Back Better With Larry Lessig
April 20th, 2021, 8:43pm by Sam Wang
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Were There Really Reverse Coattails?
April 20th, 2021, 12:48am by Sam Wang
A positive development for the left in the last few years has been the renewed interest in running for downticket races. From Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to legislative candidates nationwide, such efforts are necessary for building a healthy political party.
Last week came a new claim that such efforts are not only directly useful, they can help the top of the ticket. However, this latest evidence for such “reverse coattails” needs some work before it’s ready for prime time. This is not to say that the claim is false. It’s more that the evidence is too preliminary to judge. In basic research, new claims get subjected to close scrutiny through the peer review process. I will offer some comments in that style. I hope they are constructive. [Read more →]
Save Wisconsin Democracy With One Weird Trick
April 7th, 2021, 1:39pm by Zachariah Sippy
One of the most notable partisan gerrymanders in the country can be found in Wisconsin. But a repeat of the offense in 2021 can be prevented – with public input.
Governor Evers has formed a nonpartisan citizen commission to increase transparency and collect public input, regardless of whether the legislature intends to bypass him or not. If you are a Wisconsinite, we encourage you to make your voice heard. While Evers’ commission won’t have the final say, having your voice on the record could play a key role in potential future litigation.
Keep on reading!Utah House Bill 197
February 23rd, 2021, 8:39am by Jason Fierman
This year will see a number of state-level legislative actions, as governments across the country look to change rules that affect the ability of voters to participate in elections.
One example may be found in the Utah House, which is considering Utah House Bill 197. HB 197 would significantly alter the election code of the state. Briefly, the law would mandate a change in how the state government processes voter registration forms. Any registration form submitted after March 31 would not be in effect for that year’s primary election.
Our analysis of Utah voter registration data indicates that support for the bill is motivated by a mistaken belief: that Republican registration in 2020 grew due to Democratic voters crossing over to manipulate the outcome of the 2020 Republican primary. Our research suggests that the growth of 2020 Republican registration comes from new registration and unaffiliated voters choosing to re-register. For an in-depth overview of this interesting and evolving topic, check out our Utah HB 197 memo, which is linked here.
Comments Off on Utah House Bill 197Tags: Redistricting
Happy Valentine’s Day!
February 14th, 2021, 3:38pm by Sam Wang
Lots of things happening around here in both democracy and neuroscience. However, much less posting. In the meantime, Happy Valentine’s Day!
Roses are red
Brains are so practical
They evolved to survive
By methods synaptical
→ 1 CommentTags: Site News
The Biden Administration’s busy first day
January 20th, 2021, 9:26pm by Sam Wang
Busy day so far:
- Rejoining the Paris Climate Accord.
- VP Harris swearing in three new Senators.
- Staying in the World Health Organization.
- Undoing immigration restrictions and restoring DACA.
- Firing the National Labor Relations Board’s general counsel.
- Freezing student loan repayments and interest.
- No more border wall.
- Revoking a variety of other Trump Administration policies, and…
- Directing the Census to ensure a full and fair count. That’s great for fair districting! Still some threat at the state level for noncitizen data, though.
Follow the Biden Administration’s actions at the White House Briefing Room.
Photo: Tom Roussey, ABC.
→ 4 CommentsTags: 2020 Election · President
Building democracy back better
January 20th, 2021, 8:46am by Sam Wang
Today at noon, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will be inaugurated as President and Vice-President. In addition to all the new policies and priorities they will implement and develop, it’s a relief. Over the last four years, democracy hit a modern low point. Now we face a long challenge: how to repair our system and make it better. [Read more →]
