Gerrymandering

Definition

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor one political party or class over another. It is a practice that can undermine the democratic process by distorting the relationship between votes cast and seats won.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Gerrymandering can lead to uncompetitive elections and reduced voter engagement, undermining the principles of a representative democracy.
2. The Supreme Court has ruled that partisan gerrymandering can be unconstitutional, but has struggled to establish clear legal standards for identifying and addressing it.
3. Redistricting commissions, rather than state legislatures, have been proposed as a way to reduce the potential for gerrymandering.
4. Technological advancements in data analysis and mapping have made gerrymandering more sophisticated and difficult to detect.
5. Efforts to combat gerrymandering, such as the 'one person, one vote' principle, have aimed to ensure that district boundaries reflect the will of the electorate.

Review Questions

• Explain how gerrymandering can impact voter turnout and engagement in a democracy.
  • Gerrymandering can undermine the connection between voters and their representatives by distorting the relationship between votes cast and seats won. When district boundaries are manipulated to favor one party, it can lead to uncompetitive elections and a perception that individual votes do not matter, discouraging voter participation and reducing the incentive for political parties to engage with and respond to the concerns of all constituents.
• Describe how gerrymandering can contribute to the rise of partisan polarization and divided government.
  • Gerrymandering can exacerbate partisan polarization by creating 'safe' districts where one party has a virtually guaranteed advantage. This can lead to the election of more ideologically extreme candidates who are less inclined to compromise, further entrenching partisan divides. Gerrymandering can also contribute to divided government by skewing the balance of power in legislative bodies, making it more difficult for one party to maintain control and implement its agenda.
• Analyze how the institutional design of Congress and the process of congressional elections can be impacted by gerrymandering.
  • Gerrymandering can distort the composition of Congress by manipulating district boundaries to favor one party over another, leading to an unrepresentative legislative body that does not accurately reflect the will of the electorate. This can undermine the principle of one person, one vote and the ability of Congress to function as a truly representative institution. Additionally, gerrymandering can influence the dynamics of congressional elections, making some districts uncompetitive and reducing the incentive for candidates to appeal to a broad range of voters.

Related terms

Redistricting:

The process of redrawing electoral district boundaries, typically done after each decennial census.

Partisan Gerrymandering: The practice of drawing district lines to give one political party an unfair advantage in elections.

Racial Gerrymandering: The manipulation of district boundaries to dilute the voting power of racial or ethnic minorities.