Gerrymandering campaign

This summer, Tufts University hosted the Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering Group, a team of mathematicians that is studying the applications of geometry and computing to US redistricting — aka gerrymandering. In brief, gerrymandering means re-drawing political district’s geographic borders in order to ensure a political goal. Here’s more about it from the Washington Post. But suffice to say it’s terrible for democracy and both political parties pursue it with zeal when it suits them.

Sadly, I don’t have the expertise to help that group, but I can help fight gerrymandering in other ways. Today, I donated to a Crowdpac campaign to support Common Cause, a nonprofit focused on promoting open, honest and accountable government. Common Cause is involved in a key legal review. In January, a federal judge ruled that Wisconsin would have to re-draw its district borders to less blatantly favor one party over the other. The legislature in Wisconsin has appealed to the Supreme Court. Common Cause wants to help argue the case.