Why Gerrymandering Should be Scrapped

Gerrymandering refers to the attempt to establish political boundaries that will favor a specific group or interest. Districts that benefit a political group often result in the incumbent being re-elected, or having served in the same position for many years, sometimes decades. As a practice, gerrymandering should be abolished as it does not treat voters for what they are-individuals.

In order to win in a simple majority election, at least 50% + 1 voters have to be courted to one candidate. An open political processes, with a rational voter base, will enable several candidates to compete for the affections. Gerrymandering takes the open process away through several means.

1. It Lumps Voters by a Characteristic

Most commonly voters that exhibit a preference for one political party will be lumped together in order for that party to maintain political dominance over that region. At times however, it is used to group people by race, such as North Carolina's 12th Congressional District or Texas's 23rd Congressional District. The affiliation or personal characteristic of voters should not matter to a political party, only the ideas that they have.
2. Gerrymandering Favors One-Party Politics

When one party dominates an area through unnatural means it discourages newcomers from attempting to establish a political base in the area, as that party will have the resources (and political clout) to keep their party in power. Similar disenfranchisement in voters also occur, when voters feel that their vote will not affect the politics of their district and as such refrain from voting. However, if the election process is open and fair, and one party comes to the top, it should be left as it is because of the voter's wishes.
3. Encourages Political Corruption

People have little to fear from their friends, who will often turn the other cheek in response to immoral behavior. The same is true for politics, as it is frequently the opposition who has something to gain from the legitimate smearing of their opponents. As gerrymandering favors one-party rule, corruption will most likely increase, which burdens voters, not just in the district, but across the country whenever such an official is brought to justice.

Various attempts have been made on how to best prevent gerrymandering, most revolving around neutral government entities that draw the boundaries, but that still has the problem of human bias coming into play. The best solution that may be found could be at RangeVoting.org's Splitline method of drawing districts.

The only factors that affect the lines (aside from Colorado) is the population distribution and the shape of each state, producing a nice clean picture of electoral districts. And as it is devoid of human bias of political beliefs, it makes it easier to redraw the lines with each census. It also treats each voter for what he is, an individual, one who has an interest in good government and who is fully capable of making his own candidate choices.