Quantifying Gerrymandering in Michigan

Abstract

Is it possible to tell when an election districting plan is gerrymandered? Mathematicians have been trying but failing to do so for years. However, recent developments in probabilistic algorithms have shown enormous promise. Our project centered on applying these cutting-edge algorithms to Michigan redistricting plans and developing a user-friendly, publicly accessible script. This code allows you to generate representative ensembles for the Markov Chain Monte Carlo algorithm Recombination. See the paper contained in ExtraInfoPaper for more information about the historical context and development of this code. Our customize.py script allows you to run customized Recom analyses of Michigan 2011 U.S. congressional, state house, and state senate districting plans.