2K Redistricting Maps with Demographics

I saw the Memphis Flyer Article about the two new single member district maps. My friend Leftwingcracker mentioned me in the comments and since it is redistricting (one of my and Alan Wade's favorite subjects), I thought I'd contribute some maps. I'll do 2L in the next couple days and map where the current commissioners live.

First map is 2K. Sorry I didn't have enough time to perfect a spot on the map in Frayser. (72-01 is split between 7 & 8) Quick observations- A) One of the commentators on the Flyer article asked why the commission couldn't keep large neighborhoods together. That is a good point because Frasyer is getting screwed like always. Frayser has over 40,000 people and is quickly becoming North Memphis Redux. Blight, poverty, and population loss like North Memphis a generation ago. It could benefit greatly from representation, yet is cut up by three districts. B) Midtown is cut by two districts. Both districts 7 and 10 could get white commissioners if there is low black turnout, or you could get a couple of Lee Harris clones from the Leadership Academy/Leadership Memphis (both neoliberal leaning organizations)who are acceptable to whites. C) District 13 will be where all the demographic changes will happen over the next few years and will become a swing district. Especially if Gray's Creek can not be annexed by the city. All those white folks still in Cordova today will be jumping that city limit and moving into District 2.

One other quick note, the area south of Bill Morris Parkway doesn't seem to be included in any district on the map posted by the Flyer. Not sure what is up with that.



For the next two maps, each dot represents 40 black or white people.






These two maps show density of all registered black and white voters.






Overall I see this map as giving an advantage to a white majority on the County Commission being formed. Another aspect I'd like you to consider is economic class when you look at this map. It seems as though low and moderate income areas get divided up (quell the surprise). Additionally, the data for the map below is older. The "WTF" area of the county is no longer upper income and has been decimated by the foreclosure crisis. Four districts are upper income, District 13 and 1 are middle income, and three districts are economically polarized (7, 8, and 10). Which make them vulnerable to neoliberal candidates.