Redistricting and Representation: The Paradox of Minority Power

Abstract

We present a model that integrates electoral competition of majority-minority redistricting with legislative redistribution to optimize minority representation. Analyzing voter allocation’s impact, we find that minorities with limited political power benefit from concentrated districts, while stronger minorities prefer dispersed voter distributions. Majority voters voting for minorities has two effects: it helps minorities gain offices, but it may increase majority voters’ influence and policy benefits. Paradoxically, adding minorities to a district is non-monotonic and can result in representatives less favored by minorities. The interplay between redistricting, electoral competition, and policy distribution offers novel insights into equitable minority representation and public policy.