Live data from Hacker News

Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

uglygerry.com

11–20 of 195 posts

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#11
post #2

In case it's not entirely clear, the font ridicules the practice of gerrymandering: toying with electoral district borders so that the results favor the incumbent while corralling the voters of the adversaries. So extensive is this practice that the resulting shapes can approximate any letter of the alphabet. Quite readable too.

There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all.

Archive link because the Baltimore Sun doesn't like Europe:

http://archive.is/a3mMR

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#13
post #11
post #2

In case it's not entirely clear, the font ridicules the practice of gerrymandering: toying with electoral district borders so that the results favor the incumbent while corralling the voters of the adversaries. So extensive is this practice that the resulting shapes can approximate any letter of the alphabet. Quite readable too.

There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all. Archive link because the Baltimore Sun doesn't like Europe: http://archive.is/a3mMR

That's an article from several months ago. The Supreme Court already ruled, and said that federal courts couldn't do anything about it, so state governments that are controlled by one party can continue to entrench their power.

https://www.scotusblog.com/2019/06/gerrymandering-symposium-...

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#15
post #11
post #2

In case it's not entirely clear, the font ridicules the practice of gerrymandering: toying with electoral district borders so that the results favor the incumbent while corralling the voters of the adversaries. So extensive is this practice that the resulting shapes can approximate any letter of the alphabet. Quite readable too.

There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all. Archive link because the Baltimore Sun doesn't like Europe: http://archive.is/a3mMR

> There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all.

I may be mistaken, but I thought I read the court ruled it constitutional

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#16
The call to action on the site is to “tweet at your rep.” This isn’t going to do anything.

Donate to groups that are fighting for unrigging the system, vote for candidates in off year elections that will help create fairer maps (VA residents: your vote this November will determine who creates your district maps).

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#17
post #11
post #2

In case it's not entirely clear, the font ridicules the practice of gerrymandering: toying with electoral district borders so that the results favor the incumbent while corralling the voters of the adversaries. So extensive is this practice that the resulting shapes can approximate any letter of the alphabet. Quite readable too.

There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all. Archive link because the Baltimore Sun doesn't like Europe: http://archive.is/a3mMR

If they do this doesn't this mean 5 cities will dictate who is in charge of the country?

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#18
post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all. Archive link because the Baltimore Sun doesn't like Europe: http://archive.is/a3mMR

> There's currently a push to take it to the supreme court so it can be stopped once and for all. I may be mistaken, but I thought I read the court ruled it constitutional

Their ruling was that the Supreme Court is not the decider here, this has to be done at a state level.

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#19
post #2

In case it's not entirely clear, the font ridicules the practice of gerrymandering: toying with electoral district borders so that the results favor the incumbent while corralling the voters of the adversaries. So extensive is this practice that the resulting shapes can approximate any letter of the alphabet. Quite readable too.

Except that it uses non-gerrymandered districts from California, where elected officials are not allowed to draw the lines. So any statement is lost, but I guess it’s a fun art project.

Re: Ugly Gerry – Font created from congressional districts

#20
post #5

This looks cute. Does the author expect to actually bring about any result by creating it? I see a Twitter link for various reps, but there's no link to any funded campaign to overturn recent legislation which has enshrined gerrymandering as the standard practice for districting. Perhaps if there was a donation link there it might be of more benefit. On the other hand, a political statement in a font is a very intere…

I see it as a playful way to bring attention to an issue, and refreshing to see any attempts at keeping money out of politics. If you are looking for a more funded, formalized campaign, those exist as well, for instance: https://www.fairvote.org/
Post reply on HN