Shattered is a visual argument meant to explore and consider the fragmented nature of politics and democracy in Pennsylvania and beyond. Originally designed as a message to introduce people to the issues of gerrymandering, the scope of the visual extended to a broader consideration of democracy and the divisions it can cause.
- View the project (in .png format): gerrymander.png
- Download the GIMP project file (.xcf): gerrymander.xcf
- View credits for assets used: assets.md
The goal of this visual argument is not to serve as an infographic, but rather to draw attention and encourage you to learn more about the issues in American politics. In an attempt to aid that goal, I've provided a number of links and resources with additional information. I encourage you to begin with the topics that speak to you, and to continue your investigation from there. And if what you see compels you to action, then take action!
- Introduction to gerrymandering from the Brennan Center for Justice, including common tactics (packing/cracking) and impact (see in particular the section on the impact on communities of color): https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/gerrymandering-explained
- Another article on gerrymandering from Fair Districts PA, with a bit more focus on its presence in Pennsylvania: https://fairdistrictspa.com/the-problem/about-gerrymandering
- Compare the 2011 and 2018 PA congressional maps: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/viewer?mid=1zo-f6kwHEgL-hDerSgS6aFuSR-oJ_8pQ&ll=40.71898005364593%2C-77.77594893871643&z=8
- An overview of the current state of the 2020 redistricting process by FiveThirtyEight: https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/redistricting-2022-maps/
- I recommend clicking on states to compare their old/new congressional maps, including statistics on their fairness and competitiveness.
- FiveThirtyEight is in general an excellent site for political/statistical analysis (also sports, if you are into that!)
- A gerrymandering game by The New York Times (note: NYT has a paywall, sorry): https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/01/27/us/politics/congressional-gerrymandering-redistricting-game-2022.html
- The Electoral Count Act, its flaws, and potential reform from Time magazine: https://time.com/6140965/electoral-count-act-reform-congress/
- Further info on the ECA, including an infographic with proposed measures for reform from Protect Democracy: https://protectdemocracy.org/project/electoral-count-act/
- Roundup of new voting laws introduced in 2021 (both restrictive and expansive) from the Brennan Center: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/voting-laws-roundup-october-2021
- Report on ballot design and its impacts also from the Brennan Center: https://www.brennancenter.org/our-work/research-reports/common-ballot-design-flaws-and-how-fix-them