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Democracy

Gerrymandering Erodes Public Faith in Elections and Democracy

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

A peer-reviewed study led by UC Riverside political scientist Shaun Bowler reveals that partisan gerrymandering can undermine the belief that elections are fair, a cornerstone of democratic legitimacy. The research, published in Political Research Quarterly, findings suggest that gerrymandering distorts representation in Congress and has far-reaching consequences, including a loss of public faith in elections and ultimately, in democracy itself.

Key Takeaways:

  • A study led by UC Riverside's Shaun Bowler, published in Political Research Quarterly, finds that partisan gerrymandering erodes public faith in elections and democracy.
  • The research, based on survey data from tens of thousands of voters in 2020 and 2022 elections, shows that Americans view gerrymandering with the same disdain as bribery and other forms of corruption.
  • Even voters whose party benefits from gerrymandering may feel that the outcome is hollow, as those elected by a rigged outcome may be seen as illegitimate.
  • The erosion of legitimacy can ripple far beyond Election Day, leading to decreased civic behavior, including lower voter turnout, and erosion of trust in government.
  • Independent redistricting commissions, such as California's voter-approved commission, and proportional representation systems can be used to rebuild trust in elections.
  • Partisan gerrymandering, measured by the Efficiency Gap, can lead to a systematic advantage for one party, resulting in wasted votes and decreased confidence in election results.
  • The study connects gerrymandering to broader perceptions of corruption, with voters instinctively seeing self-serving map drawing as an improper benefit.

Statistics:

  • 18,200 registered voters were surveyed in the 2020 Survey on the Performance of American Elections (SPAE), with at least 200 from every state and the District of Columbia.
  • The 2022 SPAE surveyed 10,200 voters, with similar sampling.
  • The MIT Elections Performance Index scores states on ballot rejection rates, post-election audits, online voter tools, and other measures.
  • The Efficiency Gap compares each party's wasted votes across all districts in a state, revealing systematic advantages for one party.
  • The study found a correlation between state-level conditions, including corruption and gerrymandering, and perceptions of election integrity.

Sources:

  • "Corruption, gerrymandering and perceptions of election integrity: Is there more than confidence than partisanship?" in Political Research Quarterly.
  • The Survey on the Performance of American Elections (SPAE).
  • The MIT Election Data and Science Lab.
  • YouGov.
  • Olivier Douliery/Getty Images.
  • Brandon Bell/Getty Images.
  • CNN.

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