4.2-Discussion: Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering, in U.S. politics, the practice of drawing the boundaries of electoral districts in a way that gives one political party Links to an external site. an unfair advantage over its rivals (political or partisan gerrymandering) or that dilutes the voting power of members of ethnic or linguistic minority groups (racial gerrymandering). The term is derived from the name of Gov. Elbridge Gerry Links to an external site. of Massachusetts Links to an external site., whose administration enacted a law in 1812 defining new state senatorial districts. The law consolidated the Federalist Party Links to an external site. vote Links to an external site. in a few districts and thus gave disproportionate representation to Democratic-Republicans Links to an external site.. The outline of one of these districts was thought to resemble a salamander Links to an external site.. A satirical cartoon by Elkanah Tisdale Links to an external site. that appeared in the Boston Gazette graphically transformed the districts into a fabulous animal, “The Gerry-mander,” fixing the term in the popular imagination.

Also review the videos in the links below

3.3 Assigned Videos- Congress-Elections and Gerrymandering

3.4 Assigned Videos- Congress-Supreme Court and Re-Districting

Discussion Question

What it the objective of Gerrymandering and how is it carried out?   

How is Gerrymandering being used to create an advantage/disadvantage in American Democracy? 

Does Gerrymandering offer a threat to Democracy?

Each student is required to post a 200 word response to the question.

The student then must post at least a 100 word response to at lease two other student posts

Please review How to participate and answer a Discussion Question for specifics on how to post to this discussion to get full credit.