Use the geospatial representation of a hypothetical redistricting plan to answer the question.

Question

An illustration shows an oval shape containing 6 rectangles labeled D and 8 rectangles labeled R, scattered randomly. The rectangles are grouped together by 4 hand-drawn shapes. Three of the grouped shape outlines are a solid line. One of the grouped shapes is a dotted line. The group on the left, with a dotted outline, contains 3 rectangles labeled D, D, D. The next group, with a solid outline, contains 4 rectangles labeled R, R, R, D. The next group, with a solid outline, contains 4 rectangles labeled R, R, D, R. The last group, with a solid outline, contains 3 rectangles labeled R, R, D.

Based on the geospatial representation, which of the following best describes the redistricting plan?

(1 point)
Responses

This does not reflect gerrymandering.
This does not reflect gerrymandering.

This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of packing.
This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of packing.

This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of cracking.
This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of cracking.

This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of stacking.
This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of stacking.
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Answer 1

To determine the correct answer based on the description of the redistricting plan, we need to assess the layout of the districts as described:

1. Dotted outline group: Contains 3 D rectangles (Democrats).
2. Solid outline group 1: Contains 4 R rectangles (Republicans) and 1 D rectangle.
3. Solid outline group 2: Contains 3 R rectangles and 1 D rectangle.
4. Solid outline group 3: Contains 2 R rectangles and 1 D rectangle.

From this distribution, we can identify key aspects:

• Packing involves concentrating as many voters of one type into a few districts to dilute their influence in others. The dotted-shaped group showing 3 Democratic rectangles could be seen as an effort to "pack" Democrats into one area.

• Cracking refers to spreading out voters of one type across many districts to dilute their votes and minimize their chances of winning any district.

Given that the grouping with a dotted outline contains only Democrats, it seems that this group is intended to concentrate Democratic voters. Meanwhile, the surrounding solid group districts, which include Republicans and a few Democrats, seem to be drawn in a way that does not allow Democrats to gain significant influence in those districts.

Based on this interpretation, the best description of this redistricting plan is:

This is an example of the gerrymandering technique of packing.