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[[File:The Gerry-Mander.png|thumbnail|The "Gerry-mander" as depicted by Gilbert Stuart and named by Benjamin Russell|200px]]

[[File:The Gerry-Mander.png|thumbnail|The "Gerry-mander" as depicted by Gilbert Stuart and named by Benjamin Russell|200px]]

[[File:Illinois District 4 2004 (gerrymandering).png|thumbnail|Example: Illinois District 4 in 2004|200px]]

[[File:Illinois District 4 2004 (gerrymandering).png|thumbnail|Example: Illinois District 4 in 2004|200px]]

'''Gerrymandering''' is a term that refers to purposeful rearranging of district lines in order to influence the outcome of an election or to favor one political party over another.<ref>http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering</ref> The first instance of  gerrymandering in the [[United States]] occurred during  the 1800 presidential election between [[John Adams]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]].  

'''Gerrymandering''' is a term that refers to purposeful rearranging of district lines in order to influence the outcome of an election or to favor one political party over another.<ref>https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering</ref> The first instance of  gerrymandering in the [[United States]] occurred during  the 1800 presidential election between [[John Adams]] and [[Thomas Jefferson]].  

* The ''Boston Gazette'' ran a cartoon depicting the new district as a contorted animal and proclaiming the "Gerry-mander, a new species of monster."<ref>[http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/854xppnl.asp The End of Gerrymandering], Christian Whiton and Larry Greenfield, ''The Weekly Standard'', 11/25/2008</ref><ref>https://masshist.org/database/1765</ref>

* The ''Boston Gazette'' ran a cartoon depicting the new district as a contorted animal and proclaiming the "Gerry-mander, a new species of monster."<ref>[http://www.weeklystandard.com/Content/Public/Articles/000/000/015/854xppnl.asp The End of Gerrymandering], Christian Whiton and Larry Greenfield, ''The Weekly Standard'', 11/25/2008</ref><ref>https://masshist.org/database/1765</ref>

The result of the rearranging of districts helped Jefferson win the extremely close presidential race by a vote of the [[House of Representatives]].<ref>http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Gerrymander.htm</ref>

The result of the rearranging of districts helped Jefferson win the extremely close presidential race by a vote of the [[House of Representatives]].<ref>http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Gerrymander.htm</ref>

==Misconceptions==

==Misconceptions==

Although many commentators have claimed gerrymandering is the reason for the [[Partisan politics in the United States|increasing polarization]] in the [[United States]], the evidence suggests that political polarization increased due to like-minded people moving to the same areas as each other.<ref>Persons, Sally (June 11, 2017). [http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/11/americans-sorting-themselves-along-party-lines-say/ Americans sorting themselves along party lines, says study]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 11, 2017.</ref>

Although many commentators have claimed gerrymandering is the reason for the [[Partisan politics in the United States|increasing polarization]] in the [[United States]], the evidence suggests that political polarization increased due to like-minded people moving to the same areas as each other.<ref>Persons, Sally (June 11, 2017). [https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2017/jun/11/americans-sorting-themselves-along-party-lines-say/ Americans sorting themselves along party lines, says study]. ''The Washington Times''. Retrieved June 11, 2017.</ref>

==References==

==References==