M06 Assignment: Rules of the Games (Redistricting/ Electoral College)
For this assignment, you will learn the rules of and play the games - literally and
... [Show More] figuratively - in how we determine who is elected to Congress and the Presidency. There are two simulations/games to play and reflect on.
• One game concerns redistricting (The Redistricting Game) - the process for drawing lines for congressional districts.
• The second game concerns the Electoral College (Win the White House) - how we determine the election of the President of the United States.
Both games are high stakes and these simulations are intended to convey exactly how difficult an undertaking each real-life game of representative democracy can be! Play both games and submit one (1) document reflecting on the below prompts for each. 4-6 paragraphs total, college-level writing.
GAME 1 The Redistricting Game (Links to an external site.)
“As a mapmaker, I can have more of an impact on an election than a campaign…more of an impact than a candidate. When I, as a mapmaker, have more of an impact on an election than the voters…the system is out of whack.” -David Winston, redistricting consultant, 1990
According to the U.S. Constitution, every ten years a nationwide census is to be conducted (Links to an external site.).
The 435 U.S. congressional districts are distributed to the states based on the result of that census. In turn, each state is required to redraw district lines to reflect demographic shifts. Although it sounds like a straightforward and fair process, the reality can be quite different. Has your vote been packed, cracked, hijacked, or bleached? Find out! In this activity, you uncover the political side of redistricting and its implications.
First, read the assigned materials (articles and videos). Second, complete the following activity where you will be acting as a redistricting consultant and creating maps according to specified guidelines. Click on the link above and do the following:
1. Attempt at least three missions
2. Read the "Learn More" and "Quotes" for each mission.
Accessibility - if you have issues reading the game (Adobe Flash is required), reading the "Learn More" and reviewing the resources provided for each mission should be sufficient for understanding the concepts being tested in each mission of the game.
Finally, after completing the Redistricting Game (Links to an external site.), answer the following questions and submit. Answering some of these questions may take a bit of additional, outside research.
1. What is reapportionment? What is redistricting? Why is it done and how often?
2. Briefly describe your experience with each mission that you attempted. What was the easiest part of creating the districts? What was the most difficult. Were you successful? What were the reasons for your success or failure?
3. How difficult was it to create districts that were favorable to one political party?
4. In the game you were successful in a mission if you had approval from the state legislature, governor and courts. But does that political process ensure a legislative map that is fair to the citizens? Why or why not?
5. Also research what the congressional districts in your State (Links to an external site.) look like today. Do the districts look reasonable or odd (in your opinion and/or the estimation of others)? Why or why not?
6. Research how various states are addressing redistricting in Ballotpedia. Search for Indiana (Links to an external site.) or if you live in Ohio, look up how Ohio (Links to an external site.) handles redistricting; and then research 2-3 other states. Answer: "How does Indiana (Links to an external site.), or if you live in Ohio (Links to an external site.), conduct redistricting?
7. What, if any, thoughts do you have regarding the fairness of redistricting or partisan gerrymandering? Some of these questions, particularly regarding fairness, are very relevant, so keep this in mind as you read and research the issues!
Aspects you might consider-- is partisan gerrymandering on the way out or here to stay? Why?
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o Why should voters care about redistricting?
o Do you believe there is a problem or that the current system works effectively and represents citizens?
o What are some of the negative effects of political redistricting?
o What, if any, positive aspects are there for the way lines are drawn?
o How do you believe redistricting should be conducted? What guidelines should be used for redistricting?
o Did you review information from the NCSL (Links to an external site.), FairVote (Links to an external site.), and Ballotpedia on Indiana (Links to an external site.) (or other States') redistricting plans?
o What are some of the reforms being considered around the United States?
o What is the difference between winner take all and Ranked Choice Voting (RCV)?
o Do you think it is in the public interest for your state to use a commission or board for redistricting?
o If you think a board or commission would be a good idea, how should its members be chosen?
o What current events, court challenges, or decisions have you read about in the news when it comes to congressional districts? (You can use the Ivy Tech Library to search for current news articles).
o Have any State plans or congressional districts recently been ruled unconstitutional?
o Explain the reasons for your response and possibly include reference to at least one required or supplemental reading or current event article.
GAME 2: "Win the White House" (Links to an external site.)
After reviewing the videos and reading materials for this module and playing the "Win the White House" (Links to an external site.) game, compose a reflection on the below questions in a word processed document and upload for your Instructor to review and grade.
Accessibility - Win the White House from iCivics can also be found and downloaded as an Android or iOS app from the Google Play Store (Links to an external site.) and Apple Store [Show Less]