My first thought was that it makes sense for a Congressman to have

constituents with common interests so it made sense to start districts at population centers and work outward. That way you have at least urban/suburban/rural concerns represented. Then it occurred to me that's probably not the best idea since it turns congress into 435 localities crying for consideration and dollars for their own unique desires. Maybe blending differing communities into a congressional district means Congressmen will work on their common needs, which would be more truly Federal level issues.

Some time ago I floated the idea of states having all at large congressional elections. Maybe give people a number of votes equal to some fraction of the number of districts. I think this too would move people to the center but if a relatively small number of extreme voters used their limited votes on extreme candidates then they, too, would have their views represented in a small number of seats.
[Post edited by 81_Hokie at 02/25/2016 2:38PM]

In response to this post by Late 80s Hokie

Posted: 02/25/2016 at 2:04PM

Would it help if election districts were drawn by computer? -- Late 80s Hokie 02/25/2016 12:59PM

Should be drawn by chimpanzees -- AlexHoo 02/25/2016 3:26PM

My first thought was that it makes sense for a Congressman to have -- 81_Hokie 02/25/2016 2:04PM

Rest assured the fcc or whoever controls that would become politicized ** -- HokieDan95 02/25/2016 1:40PM

OT: Not sure if it has been mentioned, but I can vote on this board now -- Chesapeake HOO 02/25/2016 1:24PM

Voting works now? Guess I'm sunk... -- Hokie5150 02/25/2016 1:37PM

Most of the folks who disagree with you wont be able to vote -- KCHoo 02/25/2016 2:02PM

You have no idea ** -- AngusHoo 02/25/2016 2:01PM

Yip, yip, yip ** -- Hokie5150 02/25/2016 2:13PM

Thanks. I discovered that the voting buttons work for me now as well -- Late 80s Hokie 02/25/2016 1:26PM

I like the shortest-splitline algorithm...(link) -- Hokie5150 02/25/2016 1:08PM

Works as well....but when you zoom in, where is the line? -- Late 80s Hokie 02/25/2016 1:15PM

I would think it would be rare for one to fall "on the line" -- Hokie5150 02/25/2016 1:35PM

Splitline is the best. But minorities will demand carveouts. -- Hoogle.com 02/25/2016 1:14PM

I think the zipcode idea addresses that concern fairly well -- Late 80s Hokie 02/25/2016 1:18PM

Are carve outs for racial-areas a form of gerrymandering? ** -- Hoogle.com 02/25/2016 5:42PM

My first thought was that it makes sense for a Congressman to have

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