Ayham A G's Senior Project Blog

Project Title: Shaping Representation: Using statistics to create fair congressional maps BASIS Advisor: Elise Gerard Internship Location: Trinity University Onsite Mentor: Dr. Eduardo Cabral Balreira

Project Abstract

Gerrymandering refers to the enduring process by which the ruling political party in the state draws boundaries in a way that gives them a disproportionate amount of representation within the congressional and state legislatures. This is a significant issue within our current political system as it diminishes voter power and thus acts as an anti-democratic measure. It has also historically been used to diminish minority representation by splitting their population into multiple districts to dilute their vote share. Dr. Cabral Balreira at Trinity University serves as the best advisor for this project as his work with the “Metric Geometry and Gerrymandering group” has been used to help create the foundation of this senior project and has been used by scholars across the country. Trinity University is also a leading institution for research into electoral geometry and using math to create models meant to improve representation. The methodology for this project primarily focuses on measuring the values of isoperimetry, convexity, and disparity using statistical tests. This requires the conversion of the chosen state into a reduced metagraph that can more effectively represent the drafts of the possible maps through nodes. This would also use tests like the efficiency gap methods, Reock tests, and Polsby-Popper scores. The results of this project will help establish mathematically objective measures that can be used as guidelines for the creation of fair congressional maps. This project will help me expand upon research that I have been partaking in since 9th grade, helping me get a better grasp on partisan and demographic information needed to be successful in political science.