Ending Gerrymandering with Technology, Not Politics: Fair Maps Through Transparent Algorithms

For too long, the power to shape our democracy has rested in the hands of a few political insiders. They draw district lines in ways that split communities, protect incumbents, and dilute the power of your vote. This practice, known as gerrymandering, turns the fundamental principle of our democracy on its head. Instead of voters choosing their leaders, leaders end up choosing their voters.

I’ve thought a lot about what that means for Arkansans. Not just in terms of politics, but in terms of trust, community, and fairness. When your vote doesn’t truly count, it sends a message that your voice doesn’t matter. And that’s a message no citizen should ever hear.

Some have suggested independent commissions to handle redistricting. While these commissions can be a step forward, they are still made up of people. People have biases, whether intentional or not. Even with the best intentions, there is still the potential for hidden agendas or subtle favoritism. If we truly want fairness, we have to think beyond politics as usual and embrace approaches that make fairness the starting point—not something that can be negotiated away.

That’s why I believe in transparent, algorithm-driven redistricting. By using clear, nonpartisan criteria such as compactness, contiguity, equal population, and respect for genuine communities of interest, we can dramatically reduce human bias. Maps generated this way are not designed to favor a party or protect an incumbent. They are designed to be fair, understandable, and accountable to the public. Every step of the process can be seen, studied, and verified, which ensures that fairness is not just promised, but demonstrable.

Even with technology, the human element remains essential. Machines can follow rules, but they cannot always appreciate local context or community relationships. That is why I support a public oversight process where citizens can review, question, and challenge proposed maps. Transparency and accountability must be embedded in the process, so that every Arkansan can have confidence that the districts reflect communities accurately and fairly.

Gerrymandering is not a partisan issue—it is a democratic issue. It undermines confidence in elections, discourages civic engagement, and weakens the foundation of representation. No matter your political affiliation, when districts are drawn to serve political advantage rather than the people, our entire system suffers. The framers of our Constitution built a government based on fairness and representation, and every map drawn for political gain diminishes the trust that is so essential to a healthy democracy.

I believe Arkansas can lead the way in building a fair and transparent redistricting process. By combining open, algorithm-driven map generation with robust citizen oversight, we can ensure districts are drawn to reflect the reality of our communities rather than the ambitions of a few. When we do this, every vote carries equal weight, every community’s voice is heard, and our democracy becomes stronger.

This is about more than just lines on a map. It is about trust, fairness, and the principle that government should serve the people. By embracing technology alongside public accountability, we can protect the integrity of our elections and uphold the principle of one person, one vote. Every Arkansan deserves a government that represents them, and this is a step toward making that a reality.

With respect for all Arkansans,

Joshua Irby

Paid for by Joshua Irby