Videogame Unites Democrats, Republicans and Reform Groups to Combat Gerrymandering

University of Southern California, Rep. Tanner, Reform Leaders Introduce

THE REDISTRICTING GAME on Capitol Hill

    LOS ANGELES, June 8 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Leading researchers from
 the University of Southern California, joined by members of Congress and
 key political reform groups, will debut THE REDISTRICTING GAME, a free,
 online videogame, on Capitol Hill on Wednesday June 13th at 10 a.m.
     The game exposes how redistricting works, how it is abused, and how it
 adversely affects our democracy. It provides hands-on understanding of the
 real redistricting process, including drawing district maps and interacting
 with party bosses, congresspeople, citizen groups and courts. Players
 directly experience how crafty manipulation of lines can yield skewed
 victories for either party -- effectively allowing politicians to choose
 their voters instead of voters choosing their politicians.
     In addition, the game provides details on a variety of reform measures
 -- including a playable version of Rep. John Tanner's (D-TN) "Fairness and
 Independence in Redistricting Act" (H.R. 543) -- as well as features that
 allow players to get involved in the public discourse: dialoging with
 fellow citizens online; spreading the word; writing their congressperson
 directly from the game.
     Developed at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, THE
 REDISTRICTING GAME takes what is traditionally regarded as an amusement --
 electronic gaming -- and harnesses it as a powerful communications and
 education medium reaching out to all voters -- regardless of age, region or
 political affiliation.
     THE REDISTRICTING GAME makes its national debut on Wednesday, June
 13th, when Congressman Tanner and other members of Congress, along with
 reform leaders from FairVote.org, Council for Excellence in Government,
 Campaign Legal Center, and League of Women Voters welcome the USC design
 team, headed by USC School of Cinematic Arts' professor Chris Swain to
 Capitol Hill.
     Formal presentation of THE REDISTRICTING GAME will be followed by the
 opportunity for the media to play the game and speak with the researchers,
 members and reform leaders.
                             USC REDISTRICTING GAME
                       CAPITOL HILL FEATURE DEMONSTRATION
                     10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 13th, 2007
                   RAYBURN HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING, Room B-318
                                Washington, D.C.
     THE REDISTRICTING GAME is a project of the University of Southern
 California's Annenberg Center for Communication, Annenberg School for
 Communication, and School of Cinematic Arts.
 
 

SOURCE University of Southern California