WHAT IT IS
- Gerrymandering is the process of redrawing electoral maps to establish an advantage for a particular party by manipulating the boundaries in their favor. [The Washington Post]
- An electoral map shows where registered voters, aligned to specific political parties, are located within the state or country.
Former Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry established the practice in 1812 to directly benefit the Democratic-Republican Party. [Britannica]
- The boundaries of congressional districts are redrawn every 10 years. [MSNBC] This is called redistricting.
- Redistricting is typically done after the census, as states will know how many Representatives are granted. [Brennan Center for Justice]
Each district elects one Representative in the House of Representatives. [U.S. House of Representatives]
Sometimes, districts appear to be strange shapes. This could indicate gerrymandering.
WHY IT MATTERS
CIVICS: Gerrymandering aims to establish districts that elect a Representative from the political party in power. Gerrymandered districts can affect the outcomes of midterm and general elections. [Vox] Who is in power in Congress then affects the policy, lawmaking, and direction of the United States.
An Associated Press analysis found that gerrymandering significantly benefited the Republican party during the 2016 presidential election, especially in battleground states of Michigan, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, Florida, and Virginia.
The Brennan Center for Justice published similar findings, and concluded the practice is a “threat to democracy.”
SOCIAL: Gerrymandering is a strategy used to benefit one political party in gaining more seats in the House of Representatives. Both political parties are guilty of gerrymandering.
Politicians have a tendency to gerrymander districts in extreme ways that dramatically impact the outcome of elections. [The New York Times]
In some states, voters supported the idea of using independent redistricting commissions. [The Detroit News]
Some believe that if larger districts are created, it might be a way to limit the impact of gerrymandering on the outcome of an election. [The New York Times]
Giving a voice
Drawing districts that “protect” minority voters could be a positive consequence of gerrymandering. [The Washington Post]
Some believe that drawing districts across the state, and not simply in one section, allows the opportunity to elect a Representative of diverse opinions and beliefs.
Some believe that "simple-shaped" districts, or those drawn around a homogenous community, maintain a "status-quo". [Politico]
Not that pervasive
Gerrymandered districts created to favor one political party exist but are not as prevalent as some believe. [Politico]
WHERE WE ARE NOW
2020: The 2020 census will create a new basis for demographic statistics in the country, and will influence how Congressional lines are drawn next year.
Oct. 2019: Federal judges ruled that North Carolina Republicans unconstitutionally drew electoral maps and must redraw for the 2020 election. [Raleigh News & Observer]
June 2019: The Supreme Court ruled that federal courts cannot determine the partisan nature of maps. This ruling allows gerrymandering to continue. [PBS]
Jan. 2019: More than 60% of Missouri voters approved a constitutional amendment to stop gerrymandering. [NPR]
Nov. 2018: A court ruled that districts in three states were extremely gerrymandered with a desire to influence an election. Their legality is being questioned. [The Washington Post]
THINGS TO THINK ABOUT
- Gerrymandering is often blamed for the current polarization in the United States. Read more about why.
- Find your district representative here.
- North Carolina left gerrymandered districts the same before the midterm election. Pennsylvania changed some of its districts. [The Washington Post]
- How can we improve our electoral maps? Take a deep dive on one opinion here.
- Why are lawmakers in Missouri trying to stop the anti-gerrymandering law that their voters passed? Read more here.
- After the Supreme Court ruling, how do you feel about gerrymandering?