Redistricting by Independent Commissions: A Perspective from Britain

A number of commentators have suggested that redistricting in the United States should be removed from the political arena and undertaken instead by independent commissions operating neutral rules. The British system is often commented upon favorably in this regard. British research has suggested, however, that fair redistricting is impossible in such a context. This is illustrated with regard to the degree of electoral bias produced in a recent British redistricting and to the procedures being adopted in the present redistricting.