Analyzing Polls on Gerrymandering – What do the people think?

In early October 2019, Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, nationally known for their public opinion polling on political issues, released a poll showing Pennsylvania's latest attitudes on redistricting, gerrymandering, and fair representation.

The Philadelphia Inquirer pulled together six charts that demonstrate those attitudes. And Draw the Lines curriculum consultant Carl Ackerman* whipped up a lesson for your students to understand them.

Bottom line? Strong majorities Democrats, Republicans, and Independents actually agree on this issue: voters are much better equipped to draw voting districts than politicians.

Access the lesson here (PDF). 

*Carl Ackerman has taught History in the Philadelphia Public School District for over 16 years. A 2005 James Madison Fellow, Mr. Ackerman earned a master’s degree in Secondary Education at the University of Pennsylvania in 2001 and a master’s degree in Early American History at Temple University in 2007.  He serves as a Master teacher designing lessons and leading professional development sessions for the School District of Philadelphia, the National Constitution Center and the Gilder Lehrman Institute.