#AP Human Geography: Electoral Geography Study Guide

Hey there, future AP Human Geography champ! Let's break down electoral geography into bite-sized pieces so you're feeling confident and ready to ace that exam. We'll make sure everything clicks, and you'll be walking into that test like you own the place! Let's get started!

Unit 4: Political Patterns and Processes (12-17% of Exam)

#Internal Boundaries

Internal boundaries are like the lines on a map within a country or organization. They're not the big borders between countries, but the ones that divide things up inside. Think of them as the organizational structure of a place.

• Definition: Lines or borders dividing an area into smaller entities.
• Purpose: To define and distinguish areas within a larger whole.

#How Are They Created?

Internal boundaries aren't just randomly drawn; they come from a mix of factors:

1. Political Decisions: Laws and government actions.
2. Historical/Cultural Factors: Existing divisions or ethnic/linguistic groups.
3. Physical Geography: Rivers, mountains, etc.
4. Organizational Needs: For efficiency in businesses or groups.

#Examples of Internal Boundaries

• The Great Wall of China: Separating the empire from the north.

• US-Mexico Border: Dividing the two countries.

• Northern Ireland-Republic of Ireland Border: A boundary with a history of conflict.

• Department Boundaries in a Company: Dividing roles and responsibilities.

• Neighborhood Boundaries in a City: Creating distinct local identities.

#Redistricting

Redistricting is all about redrawing those electoral district lines. It's like a puzzle where the pieces (districts) need to be rearranged every ten years after the census.

• Definition: The process of drawing electoral district boundaries.
• Frequency: Typically every ten years after the census.

#What is the Census?

The census is a big population count that happens every ten years. It's super important for a bunch of reasons:

• Purpose: To count and collect information about the population.
• Data Collected: Age, gender, race, income, education, etc.
• Uses: To inform policy, allocate resources, and plan for the future.

#What Does This Do?

• Population Count: The census determines the population size, which is used for funding, resources, and redistricting.
• House of Representatives: The number of representatives is capped at 435, but districts within a state need to be roughly equal in population.
• Redistricting: State legislatures redraw district lines to accommodate population changes.

#Why is Redistricting Important?

• Equal Representation: Ensures each district has roughly the same number of people.
• Fairness: Aims to give each voter an equal say in the political process.

Source: Pew Research Center

#Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering is when politicians get sneaky with redistricting. It's like drawing the lines to favor one party over another. Not cool, right?

• Definition: Manipulating district boundaries for political advantage.
• Goal: To give an unfair advantage to a particular party or group.

#How Does It Work?

• Concentration: Packing voters of one group into a few districts.
• Dispersion: Spreading out voters of another group across many districts.

#Example: Louisiana

• Baton Rouge and New Orleans: The 6th District was drawn to include wealthy, white neighborhoods, while black communities are in the 2nd District.
• Result: The 6th remains Republican, and the 2nd is safely Democratic.

#Why is Gerrymandering Important?

• Political Power: It can significantly impact the balance of power within a state or country.
• Undemocratic: It can lead to a situation where the majority's preferences aren't reflected in the government.

Source: Louisiana

#Types of Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering isn't just one thing; it comes in different flavors, and they all rhyme!

• Cracking: Dispersing a group into several districts to prevent a majority.
• Packing: Combining similar voters into one district to minimize their influence elsewhere.
• Stacking: Combining minority voting groups with higher turnout majority groups, diluting their power.
• Hijacking: Redrawing districts to force two representatives of the same party to run against each other.
• Kidnapping: Moving a supported elected official to an area where they are no longer supported.

#Summary of Gerrymandering Types

1. Cracking: Dividing a group of voters into multiple districts to dilute their power.

2. Packing: Concentrating a group of voters into a single district to reduce their influence elsewhere.

3. Stacking: Creating districts with a narrow majority of voters from one group.

4. Hijacking: Altering boundaries to move a group of voters into a different district.

5. Kidnapping: Altering boundaries to move a group of voters into a district with a different representative.

#Boundaries: Positive and Negative

• Negative: Splitting groups with shared language or religion.

• Positive: Resolving conflicts by creating boundaries that satisfy both parties.

#Final Exam Focus

Okay, let's talk about what you really need to nail on the exam. Here's the lowdown:

• Key Concepts: Redistricting, gerrymandering, types of gerrymandering, and the impact of internal boundaries.
• Common Question Types:
• Multiple Choice: Identifying examples of gerrymandering, understanding the purpose of the census, and the effects of redistricting.
• FRQs: Analyzing how redistricting affects political power, evaluating the consequences of gerrymandering, and discussing the positive/negative impacts of boundaries.
• Time Management: Don't get bogged down on one question. If you're stuck, move on and come back later.
• Common Pitfalls: Confusing redistricting with gerrymandering, not understanding the different types of gerrymandering, and not recognizing the broader impacts of political boundaries.

#Last-Minute Tips

• Stay Calm: You've got this! Take deep breaths and read each question carefully.

• Use Your Time Wisely: Don't spend too much time on one question.

• Review the Basics: Make sure you understand the definitions of key terms.

• Think Critically: Apply your knowledge to real-world examples.

Practice Question

Practice Questions

#Multiple Choice Questions

1. Which of the following best describes the practice of gerrymandering?

(A) The process of creating new voting districts based on population changes. (B) The manipulation of voting district boundaries to favor a particular political party. (C) The act of combining multiple voting districts into one. (D) The process of ensuring each voting district has an equal population. (E) The practice of allowing voters to choose their preferred voting district.

2. The census is primarily used for which of the following purposes?

(A) To determine the number of polling places in each state. (B) To allocate government funding and resources and to determine the number of seats each state has in the U.S. House of Representatives. (C) To decide which political party will control the state legislature. (D) To determine the number of electoral votes each state receives in presidential elections. (E) To identify the most popular candidates in each district.

3. Which of the following is an example of "packing" in gerrymandering?

(A) Dividing a group of voters into multiple districts to reduce their influence. (B) Combining a group of voters into a single district to reduce their influence elsewhere. (C) Altering district boundaries to move a group of voters into a different district. (D) Creating districts with a narrow majority of voters from one group. (E) Moving a supported elected official to an area where they are no longer supported.

Answer Key:

1. (B)
2. (B)
3. (B)

#Free Response Question (FRQ)

Prompt:

Discuss the concept of gerrymandering, including its purpose, methods, and potential impacts on the political landscape. Provide specific examples to illustrate your points.

Scoring Breakdown:

• Definition of Gerrymandering (1 point):

• Award 1 point for a clear definition of gerrymandering as the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group.

• Purpose of Gerrymandering (1 point):

• Award 1 point for explaining that the purpose of gerrymandering is to gain an unfair advantage in elections by concentrating or dispersing voters.

• Methods of Gerrymandering (2 points):

• Award 1 point for describing "packing" (concentrating voters of one group into a single district).

• Award 1 point for describing "cracking" (dispersing voters of one group into multiple districts).

• Impacts of Gerrymandering (2 points):

• Award 1 point for explaining how gerrymandering can lead to disproportionate representation in government, where the preferences of the majority of voters are not reflected.

• Award 1 point for explaining how gerrymandering can undermine the legitimacy of the political process and lead to voter apathy.

• Specific Examples (2 points):

• Award 1 point for providing a specific example of gerrymandering from the provided text (e.g., Louisiana's 6th and 2nd districts).

• Award 1 point for explaining how the example illustrates the effects of gerrymandering.

#Short Answer Questions

1. Explain how the census is related to redistricting.
2. Briefly describe two ways internal boundaries can be created.
3. What is the difference between "cracking" and "packing" in the context of gerrymandering?

You've got this! Go get 'em!