What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating electoral district boundaries for political advantage. It is one of the most common forms of election manipulation in the United States. In South Dakota, gerrymandering occurs when state legislators draw district lines that are intended to give an unfair advantage to one political party. This can be done by drawing lines that disproportionately favor one party over another, or by creating oddly shaped districts that make it difficult for the opposing party to gain a majority in the district. It can also be done by dividing a population along racial or geographic lines, which can limit the ability of certain voting blocs to influence elections. Gerrymandering can have a significant impact on any election, as it can give a political party an unfair advantage over its opponents. It can also lead to decreased political responsiveness, as legislators who benefit from gerrymandering have less incentive to listen to their constituents.

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