Researchers at the University of Vermont designed a new mathematical approach to judge when gerrymandering political districts go beyond fairness and into the manipulation of voting. A team led by UVM mathematician Gregory S. Warrington published the new tool in the Election Law Journal under the title, “Quantifying Gerrymandering Using the Vote Distribution”. This problem persists as new study finds that at 1 in 2 states are at risk of “rigged maps” thanks to redistricting. Stef W. Kight had this information in Axios. Here is an excerpt:

More than half of the states in the U.S. are at “extreme risk” of congressional districts being drawn to unfairly favor one party, according to a new analysis of state redistricting processes by RepresentUs, a non-partisan advocacy group focused on election reform.

Why it matters: The states at risk of gerrymandering — a process the group says can produce “rigged maps” — include battlegrounds like Texas, Georgia, Wisconsin and North Carolina.

The big picture: This year’s redistricting process is already more chaotic than usual. And the outcomes could boost one party’s political candidates for a decade.

Continue reading here. Also see related Democracy Chronicles articles like those on Redistricting, Election History, or even seen our section on American Democracy.