Measuring the Erosion of American Democracy
The article discusses the recent gerrymandering practices in Tennessee, highlighting the approval of a new congressional map that disproportionately affects the state's majority-Black city, Memphis. It introduces the Gerrymandering Partisan Index (GPI) as a tool to measure the extent of partisan distortion in electoral politics. The GPI indicates a significant shift in American democracy, with projections suggesting that future redistricting will further exacerbate these issues.
- ▪Protesters in Tennessee chanted against new legislation perceived as discriminatory.
- ▪The Republican supermajority approved a congressional map that splits Memphis into three districts.
- ▪The Gerrymandering Partisan Index (GPI) measures how electoral outcomes deviate from proportional representation.
Opening excerpt (first ~120 words) tap to expand
On May 7, 2026, state troopers cleared the gallery of the Tennessee House after protesters chanted “No Jim Crow 2.0.” KeShaun Pearson, brother of state Representative Justin Pearson, refused to leave and was arrested. In the Senate chamber, Democratic state senator Charlane Oliver climbed onto her desk with a banner reading “No Jim Crow 2.0, Stop the TN Steal” before being removed. Inside both chambers, the Republican supermajority approved a new congressional map splitting Memphis—the state’s only majority-Black city—into three pieces, eliminating Democratic Representative Steve Cohen’s seat and making Tennessee’s delegation nine Republicans and zero Democrats.Republican State Representative Jason Zachary said the rationale plainly: “It was absolutely drafted on politics.” He continued,…
Excerpt limited to ~120 words for fair-use compliance. The full article is at TIME — Top.
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