Don't fear technology. Algorithms can give us what we want. Fair election maps. | Letters

Letters to the Editor
·2 min read

A columnist finally writes about how a legislative map can be redrawn and doesn’t just tell us that our current maps are rigged (“Want fair elections? Use artificial intelligence” Oct. 1).

The words “artificial intelligence” in the headline may scare some people and is misleading. The focus of the article is not on AI, but on algorithms. An algorithm is a set of directions for doing a task. The direction steps are to be done in a certain order. For the task of getting dressed, putting on socks is a step before putting on shoes.

Wisconsin deer hunting is dying. That should worry you even if you don't hunt. | Opinion

A computer would be given directions/algorithms for redistricting. This would be using the power of the computer to follow instructions and objectively carry out the work assigned by humans. Data from the 2020 Census would be input along with recent voting patterns and other information including geographic/map boundaries. The computer would find the best options, among the many possibilities, of how the voting districts could be drawn.

I am for using this computer power to produce what many of us want — fair maps for our elections.

Sharon Kubes, Milwaukee

Send a letter to the editor

The Journal Sentinel and USA TODAY NETWORK-Wisconsin welcome readers' letters. Timely, well-written, provocative opinions on topics of interest in Milwaukee and Wisconsin are given first preference. All letters are subject to editing.

Guidelines

  1. Generally, we limit letters to 200 words.

  2. Name, street address and daytime phone are required.

  3. We cannot acknowledge receipt of submissions.

  4. We don't publish poetry, anonymous or open letters.

  5. Each writer is limited to one published letter every two months.

Write: Letters to the editor, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel,P.O. Box 371, Milwaukee, WI 53201-0371Fax: (414)-223-5444E-mail:jsedit@jrn.com or submit the form that can be found on the bottom of this page.

This article originally appeared on Milwaukee Journal Sentinel: AI might frighten some from fix for Wisconsin electoral districts