Difference between revisions of "Gerrymandering"
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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: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>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>[https://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> | ||
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| + | The term is named after [[Elbridge Gerry]]. | ||
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| + | In '''Louisiana v. Callais''' the Supreme Court ruled that a district cannot be drawn (by gerrymander or otherwise) to benefit a particular race (even a minority one), but the Court has repeatedly ruled that it cannot hear cases where districts were drawn solely for political advantage (the "political question doctrine"). | ||
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| + | ==Liberal flip-flopping== | ||
| + | In [[Cooper v. Harris]], [[Liberal]]s supported race-based gerrymandering from a constitutional perspective during and in the years after the [[Civil Rights movement]] because it would lead to the highest rates of minority elected officials, but they changed their position (again from a constitutional standpoint) after it became clear they could gain more seats through having courts strike down race-based gerrymandering.<ref>Sammin, Kyle (May 30, 2017). [https://thefederalist.com/2017/05/30/why-the-supreme-courts-liberals-flipflopped-on-race-based-gerrymandering/ Why The Supreme Court’s Liberals Flipflopped On Race-Based Gerrymandering]. ''The Federalist''. Retrieved May 31, 2017.</ref> This is an example of the "[[Living Constitution]]" ideology. | ||
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| + | ==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). [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== | ||
| + | {{reflist|1}} | ||
| + | |||
| + | [[Category:Election Terms]] | ||
Latest revision as of 13:35, May 11, 2026
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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.[1] 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."[2][3]
The result of the rearranging of districts helped Jefferson win the extremely close presidential race by a vote of the House of Representatives.[4]
The term is named after Elbridge Gerry.
In Louisiana v. Callais the Supreme Court ruled that a district cannot be drawn (by gerrymander or otherwise) to benefit a particular race (even a minority one), but the Court has repeatedly ruled that it cannot hear cases where districts were drawn solely for political advantage (the "political question doctrine").
Liberal flip-flopping
In Cooper v. Harris, Liberals supported race-based gerrymandering from a constitutional perspective during and in the years after the Civil Rights movement because it would lead to the highest rates of minority elected officials, but they changed their position (again from a constitutional standpoint) after it became clear they could gain more seats through having courts strike down race-based gerrymandering.[5] This is an example of the "Living Constitution" ideology.
Misconceptions
Although many commentators have claimed gerrymandering is the reason for the 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.[6]
References
- ↑ https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymandering
- ↑ The End of Gerrymandering, Christian Whiton and Larry Greenfield, The Weekly Standard, 11/25/2008
- ↑ https://masshist.org/database/1765
- ↑ http://history1800s.about.com/od/1800sglossary/g/Gerrymander.htm
- ↑ Sammin, Kyle (May 30, 2017). Why The Supreme Court’s Liberals Flipflopped On Race-Based Gerrymandering. The Federalist. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
- ↑ Persons, Sally (June 11, 2017). Americans sorting themselves along party lines, says study. The Washington Times. Retrieved June 11, 2017.
