THREAD: The 2020 Census data release is today—and mathematicians have been preparing by sharpening new algorithms that detect and counter any gerrymandering that might come out of the process of redrawing district maps. trib.al/kuiICxu
The maps for US legislative races often resemble monsters, with bizarrely shaped districts emerging from wonky hybrids of counties, precincts, and census blocks. 
But it’s the drawing of these maps, more than anything—more than voter suppression laws, more than voter fraud—that determines how votes translate into who gets elected.
Over recent months, mathematicians have been busy in anticipation of a data release expected today from the US Census Bureau. trib.al/ezFZWuc
Every decade, new census data launches the decennial redistricting cycle—state legislators (or sometimes appointed commissions) draw new maps, moving district lines to account for demographic shifts.
In preparation, mathematicians are sharpening new algorithms that detect and counter gerrymandering, whereby politicians rig the maps and skew the results to favor one political party over another.
Republicans have openly declared that they intend to gerrymander a path to retaking the US House of Representatives in 2022. theguardian.com/commentisfree/…
Tools like these algorithms will play a critical role in the looming political battles. trib.al/ezFZWuc
👀 READ the full story by @sioroberts about how mathematicians are deploying algorithms to preserve the power of your vote. Her story was repurposed for Twitter by @Benji_Rosen, with inspiration from @charlottejee and her Download newsletter. trib.al/ezFZWuc
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