Behind the lines: exposing partisan gerrymandering with PlanScore

Maps became a focal point in the career of a former technical director at Stamen Design due to their ability to highlight spatial issues, the value of open data, and the intersection of politics and geography. This interest led to the creation of PlanScore, an initiative aimed at addressing partisan gerrymandering by making redistricting transparent and fair. Gerrymandering involves manipulating district maps to favor certain political parties, which undermines democratic principles by skewing representation and legislative priorities. PlanScore emerged from a realization of the power held by those drawing district lines and the inadequacy of existing tools to assess fairness. Inspired by the precision of modern redistricting technology, PlanScore collaborates with policy experts to develop tools that evaluate the fairness of district plans. The project's insight revealed that identifying gerrymandering requires analysis beyond map lines, focusing instead on voter distribution and the equitable representation of communities.