This free, web-based software enables individuals and organizations to draw and analyze redistricting plans. Users can create maps for congressional and state legislative districts, evaluating them based on criteria like population equality, compactness, and competitiveness. The tool provides access to demographic data and election results, facilitating informed map-making decisions. For example, a user could adjust district boundaries to ensure each district has roughly the same population, adhering to the principle of “one person, one vote.”
The software’s significance lies in its potential to promote transparency and public participation in the redistricting process. By allowing citizens to create and evaluate their own maps, it empowers them to engage with a process that significantly impacts their representation. Historically, redistricting has often been conducted behind closed doors by political parties, potentially leading to gerrymandering and unfair electoral advantages. This software offers a counterpoint, providing a readily accessible platform for alternative map proposals and analyses.
