Elections & terms
gerrymandering
Drawing district lines to favor a party, an incumbent, or a group. Named for an 1812 Massachusetts map whose district resembled a salamander.
In full
The two classic techniques are cracking, splitting an opposing group across many districts so it wins none, and packing, concentrating it into few districts so its extra votes are wasted. The Supreme Court held partisan gerrymandering claims nonjusticiable in federal court in Rucho v. Common Cause (2019), leaving them to state courts, state constitutions, and commissions. Racial gerrymandering remains subject to federal challenge.
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A plain-language explanation for civic education, not legal advice. When in doubt, the official source named above controls.