Author(s):
Zachary Forest Johnson* - University of Wisconsin Geography
Abstract:
Value-by-area cartograms have become a common thematic mapping technique for presenting social data. One particular application is examined by the research presented here: election results cartograms. On such maps, the size of enumeration units (states or counties) is made proportional to either population or Electoral College votes, thus equalizing the density of either phenomenon so that other information (typically, percent of vote) can be displayed on top. Media outlets such as the New York Times and CBS news have popularized election results cartograms. Numerous methods, designs, and algorithms exist for cartogram construction, and these methods result in cartograms that differ greatly in appearance and properties preserved. Almost no research, however, has been conducted to help cartographers choose amongst them. This research aims to solve that problem by determining the effectiveness differences between different cartogram designs in presenting election results information to the public. I will discuss a brief history of election results cartograms and the justifications for their use. I follow this with a discussion of a typology of cartogram designs: the "Cartogram Cube", which I will be introducing. I then discuss the methods used to answer the questions posed above and conclude with my results and their significance to the field of cartographic design.
