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I once felt certain that the redistricting process as conducted in Texas - as in most states – where the party in charge drew districts that guaranteed them safe victories explained why we had such lopsided legislative districts, districts that consistently vote for one party over the other by at least 20 percentage points.

But after reading “The Big Sort” by Austin writer Bill Bishop, I think we the people may be part of the reason. Supported by significant data analysis, his basic thesis is that because we have built a country where we all can live wherever we want, we are choosing to self-segregate into neighborhoods where people think and vote just like us.  

Here is a map that describes how the number of lopsided districts has grown from 1976 to 2004: http://www.thebigsort.com/maps.php

Bishop’s book reminds me of a recent story some new friends shared with me about their experience relocating to San Antonio. This Democratic-leaning young professional couple was beginning to question their choice of San Antonio because all they were shown by their realtors were suburban far north side neighborhoods.  Keep in mind they were moving from New York City.

Fortunately, friends introduced them to King William in downtown San Antonio. After walking around the neighborhood, they decided they had “found their tribe.” What turned them around? Probably they felt the pull of the historic homes, numerous restaurants and coffee shops in walking distance and …90% of all political yard signs they saw walking through the neighborhood were for either Obama or Hillary, the same percentage the neighborhood voted for Obama over McCain in the presidential election.