Thread by @RepublicShared

Here's a master thread of my #FairRepAct maps, with one fact about the Act each.

1. The Fair Representation Act was introduced by Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) along with seven co-sponsors as #HR3863 in June, 2021.

Here's Virginia: 3 districts, 5-3-3, 5R-6D

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1370554225512579079?s=20

2. The #FairRepAct establishes that all Representatives will be elected by proportional ranked choice voting.

Here's Arizona: 3 districts, 3-3-3, 3R-3D-3?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1387825704960659456?s=20

3. Instead of each Rep having their own district, states would divide into larger multi-winner districts, each electing 3, 4, or 5 Reps proportionally. That's what these maps show.

Here's Colorado: 2 districts, 5-3, 3R-4D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1390737526072225793?s=20

4. Districts would be adopted by independent redistricting commissions, modeled on the commissions required by HR1.

Here's Ohio: 3 districts, 5-5-5, 7R-7D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1392844385386106890?s=20

5. States that only have 5 or fewer Reps would elect all statewide - no districts. Under the 2020 apportionment, that means 23 states would draw no districts and would not need to assemble a commission.

Here's an analysis of those 23 states:

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1400508405496811523?s=20

6. Instead of one candidate winning with a majority of the vote, several would win, each with their own smaller share of the vote.

Here's Texas: 8 districts, 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-3, 20R-13D-5?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1395447337795923969?s=20

7. The threshold to win one of the seats depends on the number of winners:
3 winners = 25%+1 vote
4 winners = 20%+1 vote
5 winners = 17%+1 vote

Here's Massachusetts: 3 districts, 3-3-3, 3R-5D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1397981348837609479?s=20

8. A smaller threshold does not mean fewer votes or less popular candidates! A 3-winner district has 3 times the number of people in it, so the total number of votes needed to win is not that different.

Here's Indiana: 3 districts, 3-3-3, 4R-3D-2?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1405217621906104324?s=20

9. The smaller threshold does mean more opportunities for representation for those currently locked out, including urban Republicans, rural Democrats, people of color in majority-white areas, and so on.

Here's Illinois: 5 districts, 5-3-3-3-3, 5R-9D-3?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1405589387484741636?s=20

10. It also means more competition - between the parties, between candidates of the same party, and with space for independent and third party competitors.

Here's New York: 6 districts, 5-5-5-5-3-3, 7R-15D-4?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1410651140409147399?s=20

11. It also means the end of gerrymandering. Almost every voter will elect a candidate they support. When everyone is represented, the lines matter less.

Here's Pennsylvania: 5 districts, 5-3-3-3-3, 7R-7D-3?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1415721636293226510?s=20

12. The way it works is simple: multiple candidates win, but every voter has one vote. That way, every winner is elected by a distinct group of voters. It's like districts based on values, rather than geography.

Here's Oregon: 2 districts, 3-3, 2R-3D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1418623110530600960?s=20

13. Your one vote counts for your top choice. But if that would waste it on a candidate who can't win or would win without it, it'll help your next choice instead. That way, you can rank honestly.

Here's Washington: 2 districts, 5-5, 5D-3R-2?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1418623110530600960?s=20

14. Candidates who share values can campaign as a team, sharing some expenses, and focusing on distinct neighborhoods/constituencies within their district, to maximize the number of them who will win.

Here's Georgia: 4 districts, 5-3-3-3, 6R-5D-3?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1422987900380143622?s=20

15. To attract as many votes to their slate as possible, the parties would want to recruit a diverse team, reflecting different parts of the district, demographics, and even ideas.

Here's Maryland: 2 districts, 5-3, 5D-2R-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1424791211173363724?s=20

16. The Act does not require any state to use primary elections to choose nominees, but if they do, the primary must also be by proportional RCV.

Here's Kentucky: 2 districts, 3-3, 4R-2D

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1425876404391063564?s=20

17. It also does not touch most other laws related to voting and elections, like those protecting the rights of voters with disabilities and overseas voters, or those regulating voter registration.

Here's Alabama: 2 districts, 4-3, 4R-2D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1425876414688022530?s=20

18. It references the Voting Rights Act 11 times. The final reference is a blanket statement that nothing in the FRA authorizes or requires anything that would violate the VRA.

Here's South Carolina: 2 districts, 4-3, 3R-2D-2?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1425876426276888579?s=20

19. The new system can be administered using paper ballots and existing voting machines. A state could even hand-count ballots if it wanted to.

Here's Minnesota: 2 districts, 5-3, 3R-4D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1432351317612240898?s=20

20. Likewise, the new system can be audited and recounted. If ballot data is published (standard practice in most places with RCV) the tally can be verified by anyone with Excel.

Here's Missouri: 2 districts, 5-3, 4R-3D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1432351324180566019?s=20

21. Of course, there will be implementation costs, which is why the Act provides states with generous grants (amount based on population) for election administration and voter education.

Here's Wisconsin: 2 districts, 5-3, 4R-3D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1432351328618139658?s=20

22. The Act would not favor either major party over the other. But more than that, it would give us a clearer picture of what voters want, beyond just R vs D.

Here's Michigan: 3 districts, 5-5-3, 5R-6D-2?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1433821831333662728?s=20

23. For instance, every single district with at least 3 members would elect at least one D and one R. That means Democrats from the Texas panhandle, Republicans from Manhattan, and so on.

Here's Tennessee: 3 districts, 3-3-3, 6R-2D-1?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1439983198428086273?s=20

24. And when two or more members of the same party win in a district, they would represent different areas and interests from each other, reflecting more of the overall spectrum of ideas and identities.

Here's New Jersey: 4 districts, 3-3-3-3, 3R-5D-4?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1440332526560550914?s=20

25. The ranked ballot also allows new parties and independent candidates with fresh ideas to compete without needing to fear that they will be labeled a "spoiler."

Here's Florida: 6 districts, 5-5-5-5-5-3, 13R-12D-3?

https://twitter.com/RepublicShared/status/1443952574890119175?s=20