Click here to print. Students are asked to list three negative consequences of gerrymandering. Answers will vary.

Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries for political advantage. It involves drawing electoral districts in a way that favors one political party or group over others, often with the goal of increasing the chances of that party winning more seats in elections. Gerrymandering can have a significant influence on elections in several ways.

Gerrymandering can result in unequal representation, where the number of seats won by a party does not accurately reflect the overall popular vote. This can lead to a disproportionate distribution of political power, with the party benefiting from gerrymandering having more control over legislative bodies than its share of the vote would suggest.

Gerrymandering can create "safe" districts where one party consistently wins by a large margin. In these districts, the outcome of the election is essentially predetermined, and competitive elections are rare. This can discourage political engagement and limit voter choice.

Incumbent politicians, regardless of party affiliation, may use gerrymandering to draw district lines that protect their own reelection prospects. This can result in a lack of turnover in legislative bodies and make it challenging for new candidates or parties to gain a foothold.

Gerrymandering can be used to give one party a systematic advantage over the other, even if the popular vote is relatively evenly split. This can lead to a distortion of the political process and the entrenchment of a dominant political party.

When districts are gerrymandered to favor one party, it can discourage competition and hinder the development of viable alternative candidates or parties. This can lead to a lack of choice for voters.

Some argue that gerrymandering contributes to political polarization by creating districts that are heavily dominated by one party. In such districts, politicians may feel more pressure to adhere to extreme positions to appeal to their party's base, rather than seeking more moderate or consensus-driven positions.

Gerrymandering can be used to dilute the voting power of racial and ethnic minority communities, which can have implications for representation and minority political influence. This has raised concerns about potential violations of voting rights laws, such as the Voting Rights Act.

It is important to note that gerrymandering is not limited to one political party or ideology; both major parties in the United States have been accused of engaging in gerrymandering when they have had the opportunity. Efforts to combat gerrymandering often involve advocating for fair and nonpartisan methods of redistricting, such as independent redistricting commissions or clear criteria for drawing districts that prioritize factors like compactness and community representation over political advantage. Several states have adopted such reforms to address the issue of gerrymandering and promote fair elections.