“For years, everyone has waited for the Supreme Court to do something on this front. The formula divides the difference between the two parties’ “wasted votes” — votes beyond those needed by a winning side, and votes cast by a losing side — by the total number of votes cast. Some experts said the efficiency gap gives gerrymandering opponents their most promising chance yet to persuade a majority of the Supreme Court to limit partisan redistricting. Under procedural rules, cases like redistricting lawsuits that are heard by three-judge panels in District Court are appealed directly to the Supreme Court, skipping the Federal Court of Appeals. Were the Supreme Court to hear the case, the effect could be profound, regardless of the decision.

Source: New York Times November 21, 2016 23:07 UTC