Math! Science! History!

FLASHCARDS: Gerrymandering and the Math Behind the Maps


Listen Later

🔎 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

🌍 Let’s Connect!

🎧 Enjoying the Podcast?

If you love Math, Science, History, here’s how you can help:🌟 Leave a review – It helps more people discover the show!📢 Share this episode with friends & fellow history buffs!🔔 Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform

☕ Support the Show

If you’d like to support Math, Science, History, consider:💡 Becoming a patron: https://www.patreon.com/mathsciencehistory/gift

🛍 Checking out our merch: https://www.mathsciencehistory.com/the-store

🎙 Sponsored By: Coffee!! https://shorturl.at/bHIsc

🎵 Music: All music is public domain and has no Copyright and no rights reserved. On Matters of Consequence from The Little Prince by Lloyd Rodgers

Until next time, carpe diem!

 

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

Math! Science! History!By Gabrielle Birchak

  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7
  • 4.7

4.7

12 ratings


More shows like Math! Science! History!

View all
Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me! by NPR

Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!

38,553 Listeners

Economist Podcasts by The Economist

Economist Podcasts

4,334 Listeners

Talk Python To Me by Michael Kennedy

Talk Python To Me

584 Listeners

Up First from NPR by NPR

Up First from NPR

56,169 Listeners

History Unplugged Podcast by History Unplugged

History Unplugged Podcast

3,975 Listeners

The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong by Mark Chrisler

The Constant: A History of Getting Things Wrong

850 Listeners

Everything Everywhere Daily by Gary Arndt | Glassbox Media

Everything Everywhere Daily

1,883 Listeners

Gone Medieval by History Hit

Gone Medieval

1,685 Listeners

Not Just the Tudors by History Hit

Not Just the Tudors

1,913 Listeners

Short History Of... by NOISER

Short History Of...

2,503 Listeners

History Daily by Airship | Noiser | Wondery

History Daily

1,990 Listeners

Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast. by Leon Bailey-Green

Etymoleon - Word History, the etymology podcast.

10 Listeners

Trump's Terms by NPR

Trump's Terms

381 Listeners

The Curious History of Your Home by NOISER

The Curious History of Your Home

256 Listeners

The Spy Who by Wondery

The Spy Who

533 Listeners