Alright, this is where it gets fun.
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the concept of Canada-style or missed my first diary, Canada has two key differences with the United States when it comes to federal representation. A) Canada-style congressional districts (or ridings, in Canada) are only about 110,000 people, as opposed to the 675,000 people we have. And b) their riding have names instead of just numbers.
So without further adieu, I bring you, New Mexico.
New Mexico has a population of 2,059,179, which grants them 19 ridings. The target population was 108,378. The difference in population between the largest and smallest riding was 3,941, or 3.66% from the target population.
Now, a couple things are different from my last diary. A) New Mexico is a lot less white than Vermont or the Dakotas, so I got to play around with the VRA. And b) New Mexico has political data, so I also got to see the political effect of my finagling.
I wanted to see how many Native American-majority VAP (voting age-population) ridings I could draw with 19 ridings, and the answer is: two. Provided you don't mind the second one isn't very compact at all.
Navajo (Blue)
This riding is 56.1% Native, with the next closest race being White with 25%. VAP is 54.6% Native, 28.7 white. This riding is 54/46 Obama, with the average performance of 2010 statewide Democrats at 49.5/50.5 Republican. This riding is almost certain to elect a Native American congressperson. Likely Dem
Navajo-Pueblo-Mescalaro (Green)
This sprawling riding is even more Native American and even more Democratic than Navajo. Natives make 57.4% of the population and 54.5% of the VAP. The next largest group is Hispanics, with 25.3/25.4 VAP% This riding voted for Obama 71/29, and the average statewide Dem in 2010 got 66/34. This riding is even certain-er to elect a Democratic Native American Congressperson. Safe Dem
Silver City-Deming-Cloverdale (Purple)
Very Hispanic, very Democratic. 66.5/61.0 VAP% Hispanic. 60/40 Obama 54/46 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Las Cruces-Hatch (Red)
Ditto Purple. 60.4/55.1 VAP% Hispanic. 58/42 Obama. 53/47 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Truth or Consequences-Alamogordo (Gold)
This riding contains a city renamed after the old game show. Which makes it awesome. 49.4/43.9 White/Hispanic, 54.9/38.6 VAP. 46/54 McCain 39/61 2010 Dems. Safe GOP
Carlsbad-Hobbs (Teal)
Congressman Steve Pearce (R) lives in this riding.
This riding is 49/46.1 Hispanic/White, but the VAP is 51.8/43.4 White/Hispanic. 34/66 McCain, 34/66 2010 Dems. Safe GOP
Roswell-Melrose-Lovington (Gray)
As this riding contains Roswell, we can't be sure if it actually exists or is just a reflection off swamp gas or something like that. But if it does exist, it's again majority Hispanic but the VAP is 52-44 White. 34/66 McCain, 31/69 2010 Dems. Safe GOP
Las Vegas-Cimarron-Clovis (Slate Blue)
Majority-Hispanic, Majority-minority VAP. 52/41.8 Hispanic, 48.7/45.3/3.0 Hispanic/White/Black VAP. 53/47 Obama, 48/52 2010 Dems. Lean Dem
Farmington-Navajo City-Taos (Cyan)
Majority-minority. 43.5/40.7/13.2 White/Hispanic/Native, 47.4/38.2/12.1 VAP. 57/42 Obama, 49.8/50.2 2010 Dems. Likely Dem
Santa Fe-Jemez-Nambe (Deep Pink)
Congressman Ben R. Luján (D) lives in this riding.
Plurality Hispanic. 44.8/49 White/Hispanic, 49.1/45.2 VAP. 74/26 Obama, 66/34 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Bernalillo-Santa Fe-Villanueva (Chartreuse)
Hispanic opportunity. 45/48.9 White/Hispanic, 50/44 VAP. 67.5/32.5 Obama, 59.4/40.6 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Martin Heinrich's residence is in Albuquerque, but I don't know which riding specifically he would live in.
Rio Rancho (Cornflower)
52.6/37.8 White/Hispanic, 57.4/33.5 VAP. 52/48 Obama, 43/57 2010 Dems. Tossup
North Albuquerque (Salmon)
Plurality Hispanic. 39.7/50.4 White/Hispanic, 43.6/46.6 VAP. 58/42 Obama, 50/50 2010 Dems. Likely Dem
West Albuquerque-Los Padillas (Olive)
Majority Hispanic. 78.6 Hispanic, 75.2 VAP. 72/28 Obama, 64.5/35.5 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Albuquerque-Kirkland (Orange)
Majority Hispanic. 56.9/33.3 White, 52.6/37.5 VAP. 79/21 Obama, 74/26 2010 Dems. Safe Dem
Northeast Albuquerque (Lime)
No, I am not being very clever with my names. 49/39 White/Hispanic, 53/36 VAP. 59/41 Obama, 52/48 2010 Dems. Likely Dem
East Side (Dark Slate Blue)
54.8/34.2 White/Hispanic, 59.5/30.2 VAP. 53/47 Obama, 46/54 2010 Dems. Lean Dem
Albuquerque-Moriarty (Yellow)
When this riding isn't busy trying to kill Sherlock Holmes, it is 60% white with a 65% white VAP. It is a 50/50 riding that voted for McCain by 22 votes. The average statewide vote in 2010 was 58/42 Republican. I would call this Lean GOP
Los Lunes-Socorro-Ruidoso (Yellow-Green)
Hispanic opportunity. 53.1/42.2 Hispanic/White, 48.2/47.2 VAP. 51/49 Obama, 44/56 2010 Dems. Tossup
So, in conclusion, in a neutral year, this would produce a 13-4-2 delegation. There would be two Natives and at least 8 Hispanics in the delegation as well.
Let me know what you think in the comments, Tip and/or Recommend it, and I hope you enjoyed!