Public Awareness and Attitudes about Redistricting Institutions

Abstract

Studies demonstrate that the public is generally poorly informed about redistricting institutions. This article uses evidence from a nationally representative survey to examine levels of familiarity and satisfaction with redistricting institutions. I also investigate the popular claim that citizens will perceive greater fairness in redistricting when the process is conducted by independent, nonpartisan commissions rather than by state legislatures. Using a survey experimental approach, I show that perceptions of fairness in redistricting differ little when subjects are informed redistricting will be conducted by a nonpartisan commission compared to state legislatures.