[thoughtexprmnt]

I feel like this might go a little too far in formalizing the two-party system in a way that would have undesriable consequences. A better approach to drawing Congressional districts would be something like this:

https://bdistricting.com/

"Impartial Automatic Redistricting... optimized for equal population and compactness only."

[gmiller123456]

One better is to not have districts at all, and instead use proportional representation, which is what's used in more than 50% of all major democracies around the globe[1].

IMHO, more important than eliminating Gerrymandering, is eliminating the two party system. In truly competitive governments with 10-15 parties holding seats, it's incredibly risky to lie, BS, or ignore arguments. In our two party system most of the arguments are just designed to talk you out of voting at all if you favor the other party.

[1]: http://www.fairvote.org/research_electoralsystems_world

[Sohcahtoa82]

> eliminating the two party system

The US only has a two-party system because our method of voting ensures that it devolves into a two-party system. Our two-party system is a symptom of the problem, not the cause.

Give us ranked voting and proportional representation and we'll see more than two parties emerge.

[diggernet]

I really like that a lot, but it needs more awareness of geography as it relates to human travel. In particular, main road networks and major waterways. A district should not count as compact if it is not contiguous via major roads, avoiding toll bridges and ferries whenever possible. And it should have a resistance to crossing major rivers.

For example, Richmond and Sausalito should not be in the same district, and the Sacramento river should be a divide at least as far up as Antioch and Rio Vista.

Likewise, Vashon Island in WA should not be split across 2 congressional districts, but (since too small to be a district on its own) should be entirely in one of the districts it has a ferry connection to. And Puget Sound should be a hard divide.

[jlv2]

Unbiased algorithmic redistricting with no humans involved? It would be the perfect result.

The politicians would never allow it.

[SamReidHughes]

Well even then, as with apportionment, you get debate over which algorithm should be used.