Right now, our legislative partisans in Augusta are divvying up the state to better reflect the findings of the 2010 Census.
This is important because it sets the table for the campaigns to come, potentially until the 2020 Census, if not longer.
Based on the math, we think this should be a pro-forma debate. This is where the people are; this is where the line goes. There: even-Steven, right down the middle. However, we are not optimistic.
Based on the early returns, we expect to see a political dogfight right down to the end, with charges of gerrymandering and counter charges flying back and forth.
Both Democrats and Republicans have their reasons for wanting to put the line where it is, and it all comes down to jockeying for position in elections to come. It may be a pipe dream, but we ask that, as much as possible, our representatives consider the state as a whole and minimize the cold calculus of national level politics.
We think it should go by the numbers and, if we understand the numbers right, as a straight up math problem, the Republicans have the edge in equality.
As we go to press the difference between the two proposals – besides the potential shifting of seven counties, about 360,000 residents and tens of thousands of square miles between the two districts – is exactly 10: the Democratic plan leaves a difference of 11 voters between the districts; the Republican leaves a difference of one voter.
At first blush, we are not sure we want Lincoln County to go into the Second Congressional District along with Knox, Sagadahoc and a few towns in Kennebec County. On paper, it just looks extreme.
However, what this debate is really about is the very essence of our democracy: equal representation; one man, one vote, and that should rule out. We like District 1. Lincoln County has been a part of District 1 for a long, long time, but familiarity alone should not stop progress.
If it makes sense, let’s not let politics get in the way.
