Redrawing Democracy: A Visualization Platform for Gerrymandering Analysis

Description

Duke's Quantifying Gerrymandering project uses computational simulations to generate thousands of alternative redistricting maps, enabling researchers to statistically evaluate whether real-world district boundaries show signs of partisan manipulation. Currently, these simulations produce "Atlas files"—collections of maps with associated geospatial and demographic data—that are difficult to explore without diving into the raw code. 

Your challenge is to build an interactive visualization tool that can animate through entire map ensembles, render individual districts with their statistical properties, and allow users to toggle different data layers to explore patterns across thousands of simulated scenarios. You'll work with GeoJSON spatial data, build dynamic visualizations that handle large datasets efficiently, and design interfaces that balance analytical depth with usability. The tools you create could end up in the hands of researchers, legal teams, or advocacy groups working on redistricting cases, giving you practical experience with geospatial visualization while contributing to research that addresses fundamental questions about democratic representation and electoral fairness.