Dylan Rosenthal created a map of Delaware with two Congressional Districts. What makes this map unique is that it creates two districts that are both Democratic, but in a different geographical way.
Many assume that if Delaware were to get a second congressional district after the 2020 census is complete, that the first district would be contained completely in northern to central New Castle County, including both Wilmington and Newark. The second district would include Middletown and Dover down to Sussex County, with the dividing line near the C&D Canal.
The First District would be overwhelming Democratic, with the second one less so, maybe even a 50-50 split.
Well, here is another way to split Delaware into two Congressional Districts:
The First or Western District would include Newark and Middletown, and Western Dover and Western Sussex. It would be 56% Democratic and 44% Republican. The Second or Eastern District would be Wilmington and its suburbs, Dover, Milford and the beaches. It would be 63% Democratic and 37% Republican.
When was the last time that a state went from one to two congressional districts? Montana? Hawaii? Rhode Island? What are the protocols for dividing up a state “equally”? A subjective term depending on one’s perspective. Just curious. This map is sure food for thought.
Long time reader, first time poster.
Montana does not yet have a 2nd congressional seat, but it is projected to gain one after the 2020 census. Rhode Island gained it’s 2nd Congressional seat in 1843. Hawaii gained a second representative in 1962, but they still used an at large system. So instead of electing one representative, they elected two. That changed in 1972, and separate districts were created. As for what are the protocols for dividing a state up equally, there are essentially none, since the Supreme Court passed on addressing partisan gerrymandering in their most recent terms.
Frankly I think we should forgo districts altogether and have both reps elected at-large using a single transferable vote system.
I think multi-member districts are prohibited by federal law though, so I guess that’s just a pipe dream…