Imagine a future where every vote truly counts. Where the lines that define our congressional districts are drawn not by partisan interests behind closed doors, but by transparent, public AI systems guided by fairness, verifiable and accurate data, and the will of the people. This isn’t science fiction—it’s a vision made possible by something we could create right now: a Department of Technology focused on serving the public good.

At Department of Technology, we advocate for the creation of a U.S. Department of Technology that puts technological innovation in service of democracy, accountability, and transparency. One of the most powerful—and transformative—projects such a department could lead is the creation of a public and free AI agent to fairly map congressional districts.

The Problem: Gerrymandering Is Undermining Democracy
Gerrymandering—the practice of manipulating political boundaries and maps, and in this case, congressional district lines to favor a political party or group—is a quiet but devastating threat to representative democracy. In many states, politicians effectively choose their voters, instead of voters choosing their representatives. This results in warped representation, political polarization, and a profound erosion of public trust.

We already have the data and computing power to do better. What we lack is a public-first, neutral institution to lead the effort. That’s where a Department of Technology could come in.

The Solution: A Public AI for Fair Redistricting
A future Department of Technology could build a nonpartisan and impartial AI-powered agent that generates congressional districts based on clear, fair, and customizable criteria:

City and County Boundaries
Whenever feasible, practical, and applicable, keep communities together rather than splitting cities to dilute voting power.

US Citizenship or Qualified Voters
Use eligible and verifiable voter data to ensure true representational balance.

Compactness and Contiguity
Prevent oddly shaped districts created solely for political advantage and to confuse voters and undermine election integrity.

Partisan Fairness Metrics
Show publicly in real-time analysis of how maps might advantage one party over another.

And all of this would be completely transparent. Anyone—citizens, journalists, teachers, even lawmakers—could log in, experiment, generate maps, and compare them to existing district lines.

What It Could Look Like
Imagine a clean, interactive interface. A map of the U.S. with color-coded districts. A panel of sliders to adjust criteria: City Boundaries, Citizenship, Qualified Voters, Compactness. A sidebar displays real-time metrics: Population Equality, Partisan Bias Score, Community Preservation Index. One click and you can compare the AI’s map with the current map drawn by politicians. One more click, and you can share your version with your neighbors—or your state legislator.

This isn’t fantasy. It’s entirely within reach.

Why a Department of Technology?
Private tech companies may have the technical know-how, but they lack the public accountability and democratic mission necessary for such a sensitive task. A dedicated public department—like the one envisioned at a future Department of Technology—would be:

• Accountable to the public, not profit
• Guided by democratic values
• Capable of long-term infrastructure projects
• Focused on civic trust and transparency

This department could be the guardian of digital democracy, helping to ensure that technology serves citizens first.

Challenges Worth Overcoming
Yes, there are legal complexities. Not every state currently allows districts to be drawn based on citizenship or registered voters. And political resistance to fair maps is a real barrier.

But the technical and civic benefits are too powerful to ignore. This kind of tool would empower grassroots movements, strengthen voter education, and build public pressure for reform. Most importantly, it would provide a proof-of-concept: a way to show the American public that fair maps are not only possible—they’re better.

Summary
Gerrymandering thrives in the dark. AI, used wisely, brings light. With the leadership of a future Department of Technology, we can build tools that uphold democracy, not undermine it.

Let’s make the future fair. Let’s make it open. Let’s make it ours.

Support the idea. Spread the word. Demand a Department of Technology.