What are the three standards used for drawing election districts?

The three standards used for drawing election districts are indeed compactness, contiguity, and clearly definable boundaries.

Compactness refers to how closely the district's shape approaches a circular or square form, minimizing the length of the perimeter relative to its area. This is important as it helps prevent oddly shaped districts that might be drawn for political gain rather than equitable representation.

Contiguity means that all parts of the district must be connected at some point, ensuring that voters living in the district are in proximity to one another. This is a fundamental requirement for effective representation, as it fosters a sense of community among the voters within the district.

Clearly definable boundaries aim to create lines of demarcation that are easily recognized and understood by the public, which enhances transparency and trust in the electoral process. When boundaries are clear, voters understand which district they belong to, facilitating their ability to engage in the democratic process.

Other options include elements that, while important in certain contexts, do not encapsulate the primary standards used for districting in a legal and practical sense. They may focus on social or economic factors, but these do not serve as the foundational criteria for the geographical and functional drawing of electoral districts.