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What is gerrymandering?

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Quick answer

Gerrymandering is drawing the boundaries of voting districts to favor one political party or group. By carefully grouping or splitting voters, mapmakers can shape election results without changing a single vote — undermining fair representation. Voting district lines are redrawn to favor a party.

Key things to understand

  1. Voting district lines are redrawn to favor a party.
  2. 'Packing' crowds rival voters into a few districts; 'cracking' splits them across many.
  3. It can let a party win more seats than its share of votes.
  4. It's named after an oddly shaped 1812 district likened to a salamander.
  5. Independent commissions and courts try to limit it.

People also ask

How does gerrymandering work?
By 'packing' opponents into a few districts or 'cracking' them across many, mapmakers waste rival votes and tilt the overall results.
Where does the word gerrymandering come from?
From an 1812 Massachusetts district shaped like a salamander under Governor Elbridge Gerry — 'Gerry' plus 'salamander.'
How can gerrymandering be stopped?
Independent redistricting commissions, clear fairness rules, and court challenges aim to keep district maps neutral.