The role of gerrymandering

Editor: Michael D. Klemens' otherwise informative article "1988 legislative elections give new meaning to 'power of incumbency' (December 1988) fails to mention the important role played by gerrymandering. Merely observing that incumbents generally were reelected does not support his assertion that "Illinois voters joined those across the country in embracing the status quo."

Examining total votes cast for Republican and Democratic candidates in legislative and congressional races clearly reveals the opposite: The will of Illinois voters was frustrated to a great extent by gerrymandering. For instance, 2,014,827 votes were cast for Republican congressional candidates while 2,150,232 were cast for their Democratic opponents. This means 48 percent of Illinois voters wanted Republican representation. However, only eight of 22 (or 36 percent) Illinois congressmen/women will be Republican. Giving Cardiss Collins a Charles Hayes-size victory margin of 150,000 votes in her noncontested race does not change the percentages significantly.

To a lesser extent, similar discrepancies between total votes received and final election results occurred in state representative and state Senate races. While I have not seen national vote totals, one can safely assume from previous national election results that gerrymandering has produced similar results in most states. The inescapable conclusion is that gerrymandering, not the American people, has given Democrats their 60 percent majority in the U.S. House of Representatives.

This election vote analysis has failed to receive any attention in the major or local media. It reveals that the usually cited advantages of incumbents — liberal franking privileges, access to TV and PAC contributions — had no effect on 48 percent of Illinois voters and that gerrymandering has made a mockery of our legislative elections.

Stuart Massion
Northbrook

Correction: The article entitled "Environmental Pedigree Before Business Property Sold" that appeared in the December issue ("Legislative Action." p. 25) stated that the Responsible Property Transfer Act of 1988 would affect sales or leases after January 1.

In reality the act does not become effective until November 1, 1989, and will not affect transfers until January 1, 1990. Gary McCubbin of the Farm Credit Bank of St. Louis pointed out the error. I thank him and apologize to the readers.             Mike Klemens

Readers: Your comments on articles and columns are welcome. Please keep letters brief (250 words); we reserve the right to excerpt them so as many as space allows can be published. Send your letters to:

Caroline Gherardini
Editor
Illinois Issues
Sangamon State University
Springfield, Illinois 62794-9243

February 1989 | Illinois Issues | 12