In an era where the political landscape is heavily influenced by the strategic drawing of electoral districts, technology is emerging as a formidable ally in the quest for fair representation. The practice of gerrymandering continues to shape election outcomes, but innovative efforts are underway to address this challenge.
At the forefront of this movement is Tyler Simko from the University of Michigan. Leveraging the power of artificial intelligence and vast data sets, Simko seeks to eliminate the biases that have long plagued equal representation.
Simko, an assistant professor of political science at U-M’s Institute for Social Research, is affiliated with the Center for Political Studies. He applies computational methods to tackle entrenched issues in state and local politics, such as addressing systemic inequities in school districts and developing tools to enhance transparency in government actions.
His journey to academia was shaped by his experience as an elected member of the local board of education in South Amboy, New Jersey. This role provided him with valuable insights into how local government decisions significantly impact daily life. Simko noted, “Service in local politics taught me just how much local government decisions shape our lives.”
Using AI to Map Fair Representation
Simko’s research focuses on using computational tools to redraw political boundaries more equitably, aiming to tackle gerrymandering from its roots. He co-leads the Algorithm-Assisted Redistricting Methodology (ALARM) Project, which seeks to demystify the creation of electoral maps and offer a transparent alternative.
The ALARM team developed open-source software that employs advanced algorithms to replicate the intricate processes of redistricting. This includes the redist software, created by Christopher T. Kenny, Cory McCartan, Ben Fifield, and Kosuke Imai, which can generate numerous alternative district maps that adhere strictly to legal requirements.
These AI-generated maps provide a neutral benchmark, revealing how politically-drawn maps often deviate to favor partisan interests. The tool also highlights how states, like Michigan, with independent redistricting commissions, frequently produce fairer maps. Simko stated, “In recent work, we show that Michigan’s redistricting process is one of the fairest in the country, largely because they have removed the conflict of interest by shifting redistricting power from politicians to an independent commission.”
The ALARM Project’s tools have made a significant impact, being utilized in legal cases concerning gerrymandering and the Voting Rights Act.
Addressing School Segregation
Simko also applies his computational tools to challenge educational boundaries like school district lines. His firsthand experience with the disparities caused by fragmented districts in New Jersey informs this work. Simko mentioned, “New Jersey has one of the most racially segregated school systems in the country.”
By adapting his gerrymandering detection tools, Simko aims to redraw educational boundaries more fairly, modeling scenarios that emphasize school capacity, travel time, and socioeconomic diversity. The research shows that integration is possible without new construction or significant commute changes, suggesting that segregation stems more from political decisions than geographic constraints.
Promoting Transparency with Open-Source Tools
Recognizing the lack of visibility in local government decisions, Simko has embarked on a project to enhance transparency. Alongside Soubhik Barari from NORC at the University of Chicago, Simko developed LocalView, an extensive open-source database of meeting videos and transcripts from local U.S. governments.
LocalView’s data underpins CivicSearch, a tool by Doug Beeferman at Datamuse, enabling easy searches of local government discussions on critical topics. This effort aims to make government actions transparent and accessible, with the potential to fill information gaps as local newsrooms shrink. “This is a place where people can go and learn about what their local government is doing and how it compares to what other local governments are doing,” Simko explained.
Simko’s contributions underscore the potential of computational tools and AI to democratize access to information, empowering communities with data-backed insights. “What I’m most proud of is that all of this data is posted online for free, giving the power of information back to the communities themselves,” he said.
