What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering is a process used in some states, including Virginia, to redraw the boundaries of electoral districts in favor of one political party. The word comes from the name of Elbridge Gerry, a former governor of Massachusetts in 1812, who was the first to use the practice. Gerrymandering essentially changes the boundaries of voting districts to give one political party an advantage over another. For example, a state or district may be split into many voting districts which are designed to give one party a majority of votes in each district and therefore a greater chance of winning elections overall. This process also reduces the effectiveness of minority voting power and can create districts that are less competitive in terms of political representation. Gerrymandering has long been seen as a way to give one party an unfair advantage over the other, and is usually associated with the Republican Party in most states.

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What is gerrymandering?

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