What is the most extreme congressional district in the US?
Critical Analysis
The Cook Partisan Voter Index (PVI) measures how each district performs at the presidential level compared to the nation as a whole. A Partisan Voter Index score of D+2, for example, means that in the 2016 and 2020 presidential elections, that district performed an average of two points more Democratic than the nation did as a whole, while an R+4 means the district performed four points more Republican. If a district performed within half a point of the national average in either direction, we assign it a score of EVEN. Based on the data in the map above, what is the most Democratic district in the US?
Based on the data in the map above, what is the most Republican district in the US?
Based on the data in the map above and the map below* describe one geographical trend in PVI in congressonal districts across the nation.
What best explains that trend?
What is the overall political party affiliation of your state?
What most surprised you about this map?
Identify two geographical trends regarding party affiliation from the map.
Describe some of the major beliefs of Republicans.
Describe some of the major beliefs of Democrats.
Because Alabama and California, as shown in the map, are very politically different, describe two policy differences between those states.
What is one general consequence of having such a politically varied country?
Explain whether this map is a good argument for American federalism.
Overall, would you say that the US is more Republican, Democratic, or competitive?
One thing that is certain is change. How different do you think this map will look in 20 years?
Learning Extension
Go through the full Cook PVI interactive map or the full Cook PVI Rank interactive map to see how your district compares.
Action Extension
Research the political party of the US Senators and US House members from your state. Share what you learn about their party online or in class.
