This is my Democratically friendly redistricting plan for GA, assuming Democrats are able to win back both the Governor and the State House. Basically what I did was recreate a lot of what the GA Democrats in the legislature did in the 2002 redistricting while compensating for population growth. The end result is what appears to be a 7-7 delegation but unfortunately I cannot seem to place 22 thousand people who are somewhere on my map unaccounted for but for a state of 10 million I think that’s alright for now. Further analysis below the jump.
North GA:
Middle GA:
South GA:
Metro Atlanta:
1st district:
Nearly 71 percent white, contains much of what it does now but takes in a good bit of GOP friendly territory in South Central GA and in order to shore up Barrow’s district loses Democratically friendly Liberty county to Barrow’s new district the 14th (basically the 12th from 2002-05).
2nd district:
Majority minority district in SW GA very similar to what it is now but takes a little friendly Democratic territory from the 3rd and 1st that wasn’t doing those Republicans any good.
3rd district:
A Republican district in Central/ South GA that stretches beyond the metro ATL boundaries in existence now to take in Republican areas of the 2nd and 8th as well as packing in Republicans in south Metro ATL to help out Marshall.
4th District:
Pretty similar to what we see now, dominated by Dekalb yet taking in some white GOP areas of SE Gwinnett to help out the newly Democratically friendly 7th district. Majority black but not as much as the current 4th.
5th District:
Majority black, yet like the 4th gentrification efforts are somewhat cutting down the margins once seen here as well but the new voters moving in are similarly friendly to Democrats. May elect a white Representative in a decade or less but very safe for John Lewis (D-Atlanta).
6th District:
As much as I wanted to mess with Tom “Obama hates bailout bankers” Price I decided to just shore up his GOP friendly north Metro Atlanta district. Close to 74 percent white and basically taking in all his familiar Ned Flander’s territory.
7th District:
This and the 14th are probably my most ambitious districts. Only 41.6 percent white making this now longer Linder territory. This would be a new open seat with significant numbers of blacks (33 percent) and also Hispanics and Asians (collectively equaling around 23 percent). This might seem unfeasible but eventually these growing minority groups in Gwinnett will be placed in a Democratic district.
8th District:
Oh man this would drive Republicans wanting to get rid of Marshall crazy. Only 50.5 white (this area of South Metro ATL is becoming much more minority concentrated). Some touch point continuity going on here but it had to be done to reach down into the black belt around Columbus and to connect the Metro and Middle GA parts of the district.
9th District:
Pretty much the same as before yet a tad bit whiter and more GOP friendly. I did by giving Barrow’s 14th highly Hispanic areas in downtown Gainesville. I think both Representatives in the 9th and 14th would appreciate this as this area will eventually be competitive for Democrats as the Hispanic population increases. Also had to give some territory to the 10th which is not growing as fast and without Athens needed some more territory.
10th District:
Basically take everything Democrats hate about the current 10th, 12th and to a lesser extent the 8th and put them into this district and voila, you’ve got yourself a very safe GOP district for Paul Broun. Takes out NE GA to give to the new 9th representative and most importantly gives Athens back to John Barrow in the 14th.
11th District:
Due to popular demand, a Cobb County resident will no longer represent NW GA as these areas are very different (metro versus rural). As far as making this any more Democratically friendly though that’s a negative as this district takes in basically half of west GA. My most contiguous district with no tentacles so enjoy you good government folks!
12th District:
Probably where Linder would wind up (this could be the 7th for all I care), 66 percent white, dominated by north Gwinnett and western Cobb county as well as fast growing South Forsyth county.
13th District:
A higher black percentage than today (49 percent versus 41 percent) this district is probably too safe and could stand to trade a little more territory with the new Democratic 7th but I am sure this would make David Scott happy.
14th district:
I probably messed up by making this district majority minority (46.4 percent white) but with the current white percentage at 52% that is easy to do. However, with a little more careful work this district could be majority white again by taking out the Hispanic majority precincts in Gainesville which was probably a result of my overly ambitious efforts.
Well that’s it. I am sure this wouldn’t pass mustard as is but a look at what could be if Democrats gained some major ground in 2010.
Thoughts? Questions? Sorry for the formatting errors.
the 2001-2002 Georgia General Assembly called to say that your map produces some weird looking districts.
Ha.
which district is which. For example, what number is the gray district?
Do you think you could to a table by color? Thanks.
Look at Wilkinson County.
The 3rd and the 8th look like roadkill, frankly. Now, we usually accept that for VRA districts, but is there no way to tighten the 8th up a bit.
use the “next unassigned” tool to find them.
To find the tracts you missed.
How strict are Georgia’s compactness rules? Cause this may be a bit much. We don’t want to overreach and end up with judges drawing the lines (or whatever the rules in GA are in that situation).