Politics Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words - 9

Politics - Essay Example Census (Davidson, Walter, and Frances 42-46). Nevertheless, districting in the elections for the House of Representatives stands out as one of the sources of partisan polarization (Carson et al 1). There are significant problems associated with districting in single member states (Garrett 1-6). Single-member district electoral system fosters poor representation and undermines the democratic voting process. In reviewing and advancing the argument about polarization and districting, we can show that districting plays a significant role in enhancing polarization. In Rethinking Districting, Thomas Brunell argues that voters who did not vote for the winning candidate are less happy compared to the voters who voted for the winning candidate in the House of Representatives (Brunell 77). The single-member district electoral system creates a disconnection as the minority voters do not identify with the winning representatives. Like-minded partisans enhance cohesion in the House (McCarty et al 4-6). Otherwise, establishing a competitive district in the House has an adverse effect of distorting the ideologically congruent voters into separate districts, which will increase the absolute number of voters who will be unhappy with the outcome and dissatisfied with their representative (Brunell 77). Where most of the voters are unhappy with the outcome and dissatisfied with their representative, then the political leaders will have a huge challenge in exercising their power. This has an overall effect of demeaning representation and undermining developme nt since the voters will not support the decisions of the House of Representatives. The districting process is also problematic because the single-member district electoral system may determine the leaders and the party, which will govern our local district even before the voters exercise their voting rights. The single-member district electoral system favors certain candidates and parties since it confines