Beyond Gerrymandering — Districting Simulator

The territory consists of 64 equally populated cells and is divided into 8 districts of 8 cells each. Part of the population belongs to social Group B (orange); the remaining residents form Majority A (blue). The same territory, the same population, the same votes — but different district boundaries produce different representation. Choose a preset map or draw your own.

Territory and districts

Group A (majority) Group B (representation group) Number in cell = district number

Choose a districting scheme to see the explanation.

Population settings

Share of Group B in the population25%

Territorial concentration of Group B70%

Districting scheme

Manual mode

Result

Share of B in the population 25%

Districts won by B 0 of 8

Gap “representation − population” —

District	A / B	Composition	Winner	Shape

Map audit

The simulator does not prevent “bad” districts — it shows them honestly. Any map can be evaluated here, including maps drawn by hand.

Model assumptions

This is an educational simulation, not proof of a universal political rule. It quietly assumes that:

each cell contains the same number of residents;
all members of Group B vote the same way (100% political cohesion);
single-member districts with plurality voting are used;
the winner is determined by a simple plurality inside each district;
territorial representation matters more than party coalitions or other forms of influence;
Group B may live compactly or be dispersed — but the population is artificial, and real settlement patterns are more complex.