The Legal Context for Scientific Redistricting Analysis

NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE OLD PROBLEMS OF REDISTRICTING, Forthcoming

Loyola-LA Legal Studies Paper No. 2011-13

33 Pages Posted: 31 Mar 2011

See all articles by Justin Levitt

Justin Levitt

Loyola Law School Los Angeles

Date Written: March 28, 2011

Abstract

2011 marks another decennial redistricting cycle, with much attention focused on new tools or techniques that might facilitate attempts of professional and amateur political scientists to influence the redistricting process. New software packages and quantitative methodologies have generated particular buzz, leading to renewed discussions about the role of technology in the redistricting struggle. This introductory chapter of a forthcoming book on the impact of technology on the redistricting process briefly reviews the history and impact of the redistricting process, and describes the federal and state legal environment for redistricting decisions, including an accessible description of the basic legal requirements and considerations in play. It then seeks to situate the productive opportunities for quantitative input within this legal context. The chapter suggests that a quest to "solve" or automate redistricting wholesale is misguided, but recognizes the profound value of scientific analysis in better informing the nuanced human debate over the political priorities that redistricting should accomplish.

Suggested Citation

Levitt, Justin, The Legal Context for Scientific Redistricting Analysis (March 28, 2011). NEW TECHNOLOGY AND THE OLD PROBLEMS OF REDISTRICTING, Forthcoming, Loyola-LA Legal Studies Paper No. 2011-13, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=1798005 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.1798005

Justin Levitt (Contact Author)

Loyola Law School Los Angeles ( email )

919 Albany Street
Los Angeles, CA 90015-1211
United States
213-736-7417 (Phone)
213-380-3769 (Fax)

HOME PAGE: http://www.lls.edu

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
155
Abstract Views
1,351
Rank
343,436
PlumX Metrics