Apr 18, 2025
🔎 Episode Overview
In this episode of Math, Science, History, we explore one
of the most quietly powerful forces in American democracy:
gerrymandering. From its origin over 200 years ago
to its impact on today’s elections, gerrymandering is both a
political weapon and a mathematical puzzle.
We break down the mathematical principles used to detect gerrymandering, explore real court cases in Southern states, and examine how computer science and voter data are used to both draw and fight unfair districts. You’ll also learn how other countries handle redistricting—and what the U.S. can learn from them.
Whether you're a math geek, a science lover, or just a concerned citizen, this episode gives you practical tools and knowledge to take action against one of the most manipulative practices in modern politics.
✅ 3 Things You Can Do to Stop Gerrymandering
-
Support
Independent Redistricting
Commissions
Advocate for fair districting in your state by supporting or
starting initiatives to create nonpartisan redistricting
commissions.
-
Use
Data Tools to Analyze Your District
Explore your voting maps using free tools like Dave’s Redistricting App or PlanScore to see if your district is gerrymandered—and
share your findings with your community.
-
Vote
in State and Local Elections
Remember, state legislators often control the redistricting
process. Voting in state and judicial elections is one of the most
powerful ways to influence how future maps are drawn.
📚 Resources to Learn More About Gerrymandering
🧠 Educational & Research-Based
Brennan Center for Justice – Redistricting &
Gerrymandering
In-depth articles, research, and legal updates on redistricting and
voting rights.
Princeton Gerrymandering Project
Offers tools, research, and nonpartisan analysis for creating and
evaluating fair district maps.
FiveThirtyEight’s Gerrymandering
Explainers
Data journalism and interactive pieces exploring how gerrymandering
affects elections.
🛠️ Tools for Public Use
Dave’s Redistricting
App
A powerful tool for citizens to draw, analyze, and compare
congressional and state maps.
PlanScore
Provides a scoring system to evaluate gerrymandering in district
maps based on real election data.
📖 Books
Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret
Plan to Steal America's Democracy by David
Daley
An investigative look into how gerrymandering has shaped U.S.
politics post-2010.
Drawing the Lines: Constraints on Partisan
Gerrymandering in U.S. Politics by Nicholas
R. Seabrook
A deeper academic and legal dive into how redistricting works and
how it's abused.
🔗
Explore more on our website:
mathsciencehistory.com
📚 To buy my book Hypatia: The Sum of Her Life on Amazon, visit https://a.co/d/g3OuP9h
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On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince
by Lloyd Rodgers
Until next time, carpe diem!