Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering

Gerrymandering, defined in the contexts of representative electoral systems, is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a party, group, or socioeconomic class within the constituency. The manipulation may involve "cracking" or "packing". Gerrymandering can also be used to protect incumbents. Wayne Dawkins, a professor at Morgan State University, describes it as politicians picking their voters instead of voters picking their politicians. The term gerrymandering is a portmanteau of "salamander" and Elbridge Gerry, the fifth Vice President of the United States from 1813 until his death in 1814. In 1812, as governor of Massachusetts, Gerry signed a bill that created districts designed to enhance his party's control over state and national offices, leading to oddly shaped legislative districts. The new shape of Gerry's home district in Essex county was thought to resemble to the shape of a salamander.

Data Source : Wikipedia

• Entity:  Infobox

• Wikidata description:  Manipulation Of Electoral Borders To Favor Certain Electoral Outcomes
• Wikidata label:  Gerrymandering
• Wikidata aliases:  Gerrymandering, Gerrymander

• Related Topics:  Gerrymandering Category, Electoral Geography, Constituencies, Voter Suppression, Electoral Fraud, Political Corruption, Political Terminology Of The United States