Publication Date
Summer 2017
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department
Mathematics
Advisor
Elizabeth Gross
Keywords
compactness, gerrymander, gerrymandering, redistricting
Subject Areas
Political science; Applied mathematics
Abstract
This paper presents a new measure for quantifying legislative gerrymandering
based intuitive observation that in a non-gerrymandered district a randomly placed
observer should be able to walk in a straight line and only cross the boundary of the
district once, when the district is exited. We make this notion precise in terms of
the expected value of such crossings. The result is the Boundary Intersection
Number, or BIN. Properties of the BIN score are proven and its computational
properties discussed.
Recommended Citation
Sprock, Carson, "A Boundary-Based Measure for Gerrymandering" (2017). Master's Theses. 4861.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31979/etd.rm54-b97a
https://scholarworks.sjsu.edu/etd_theses/4861
