What is gerrymandering and how does it affect

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What is gerrymandering and how does it affect Norwalk?

What is gerrymandering and how does it affect Norwalk?

THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE OF TOWN INTEGRITY CONNECTICUT CONSTITUTION, art. III, sec. 4: “Each

THE STATE CONSTITUTIONAL PRINCIPLE OF TOWN INTEGRITY CONNECTICUT CONSTITUTION, art. III, sec. 4: “Each assembly district shall be contiguous as to territory and shall elect no more than one representative. For the purpose of forming assembly districts no town shall be divided except for the purpose of forming assembly districts wholly within the town. ” Federal Supremacy for state reapportionment as recognized in Connecticut Constitution, art. III, sec. 5: The “establishment of districts…in the general assembly shall be consistent with federal constitutional standards. ”

HISTORIC VIOLATIONS OF THE TOWN INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE Assembly Districts Crossing Town Lines: 1971 Reapportionment:

HISTORIC VIOLATIONS OF THE TOWN INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE Assembly Districts Crossing Town Lines: 1971 Reapportionment: 47 of 151 Districts crossed town lines 1981 Reapportionment: 54 of 151 Districts crossed town lines 1991 Reapportionment: 65 of 151 Districts crossed town lines 1971 to 1991 = 38% increase

IMPACT OF TOWN INTEGRITY VIOLATION [GERRYMANDERING] ON ONE NORWALK DISTRICT – District 139 [Now

IMPACT OF TOWN INTEGRITY VIOLATION [GERRYMANDERING] ON ONE NORWALK DISTRICT – District 139 [Now District 137] Election Date: 1974 Town Norwalk Dem. Rep. Plurality 326 (D) 1976 Norwalk 3, 899 4, 156 257 (R) 1978 Norwalk 3, 072 2, 239 833 (D) 1980 Norwalk 3, 456 4, 116 660 (R) 1981 Reapportionment Adds 20% of Westport to Norwalk District 139 1982 Norwalk Westport TOTAL 2, 371 584 2, 955 2, 351 1, 086 3, 437 20 (D) 502 (R) 482 (R) 1984 Westport TOTAL 834 1, 716 882 (R) 2, 581 (R) 1986 Norwalk Westport TOTAL 2, 386 842 3, 228 1, 715 920 2, 635 671 (D) 78 (R) 593 (D) 1988 Norwalk Westport TOTAL 3, 690 1, 390 5, 080 2, 269 973 3, 242 1, 421 (D) 417 (D) 1, 838 (D) 3, 722 613 (D) 1991 Reapportionment Restored Town Integrity to Norwalk District [now] 137 1992 Norwalk 4, 335 2001 and 2011 Reapportionments Preserved Town Integrity for Norwalk 137

DURING 1974 -2012 URBAN NORWALK VOTERS GERRYMANDERED INTO SUBURBAN DISTRICTS CONTRARY TO TOWN INTEGRITY

DURING 1974 -2012 URBAN NORWALK VOTERS GERRYMANDERED INTO SUBURBAN DISTRICTS CONTRARY TO TOWN INTEGRITY PRINCIPLE Apportionment 1974 1982 1992 2002 2012 [2018] Total Reps 4 4 5 5 All Norwalk 4 3 3 2 2 2 % All Nwk 100% 75% 60% 40% Party 4 Dems 2 D/2 R 2 D/3 R 3 D/2 R Total # of Towns 1 2 3 3 5 5 Norwalk Westport Norwalk Darien Wilton New Canaan Westport Norwalk Darien Wilton New Canaan Westport