The “I cut, you choose” sounds optimal from a game theoretic perspective and avoid all the complex algorithms that are proposed in the links of other replies here
Re:Ugly Gerry – Gerrymandering font
by raverbashing on Thursday January 26, 2023 @02:44AM
(#34528848)
Sorry, choose what exactly? (in the context of districts)
I'd argue for a "simpler" method: no district should be non-contiguous and it should be "round" (no weirdly shaped or long districts). Something like: area of the circle that fully encompasses the district cannot be more than 30% of the whole district area. (With some exceptions for coastal areas)
There are several commercial GIS packages for this and a wealth of papers on the subject.
The great issue, in the US, as I understand it, is that for some entirely batshit devoid of rational reason ruling political parties oversee new districts on a semi regular basis. This fosters a culture of redistricting for personal party gain and ratcheting inequalities that follow.
Saner countries involve apolitical blind consultants for initials district proposals and have party nased challenges follow "I cut, you choose" type patterns to resolve conflict.