1 of 11

https://wallpaperaccess.com/full/1275706.jpg

Rice Datathon 2022

Equitable Redistricting

2 of 11

45%

Hispanic representation

in Houston population

https://wallpaperbat.com/img/420341-be-someone-in-houston-tx-houston-photography-houston-skyline.jpg

3 of 11

6%

Hispanic representation in city council

https://img.rawpixel.com/s3fs-private/rawpixel_images/website_content/upwk61899030-wikimedia-image.jpg?w=800&dpr=1&fit=default&crop=default&q=65&vib=3&con=3&usm=15&bg=F4F4F3&ixlib=js-2.2.1&s=8f8eba60d2a2fc09164013d48400ea62

4 of 11

https://texasleftist.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/29/2014/04/xCOH-Districts-672x372.jpg.pagespeed.ic.EyxYIavZuy.jpg

Houston is divided

into 11 districts

5 of 11

OUR OBJECTIVE

Redistrict the city of Houston based on new 2020 census to fulfill equitable balance of power.

6 of 11

Algorithm explanation

.

Pick n “starter” tracts, each one chosen based on ethnic/racial makeup in order to best represent different racial/ethnic groups, which will eventually become districts

7 of 11

Current District

Total Population Deviation: 7470

Voting Population Deviation: 12020

8 of 11

Proposed District

Voting Age Deviation: 42044

9 of 11

Algorithmic choices

CRITERION: Race and ethnicity are prioritized

They implicitly account for other factors such as communities of interest and socioeconomic status, due to factors such as racial economic inequality

VARIATION: The “greedy algorithm” technique ensures that when applicable (i.e. when equal population and compactness are satisfied), certain districts will be minority-majority or if that is not possible (due to racial integration), they will be majority-minority - ensures that minority voices are fairly represented
DISTRICT NUMBER: Eleven districts is key for two reasons

Political palatability and simplicity - the reasons for increasing and decreasing, such as more specific needs, aren’t very significant on the scale of a city - easier to keep it the way it is