how do state legislatures abuse their redistricting power
The term gerrymandering is often used when referring to the redistricting of a state. The word was first used in connection with Elbridge Gerry, who served as Governor of Massachusetts.
The control of the apportionment and redistricting process varies depending on the country and sometimes within different levels of government. In many democracies, such as the United States, the responsibility falls on the state government. In some cases, independent commissions or bipartisan committees may be responsible for conducting the process to ensure fairness and prevent gerrymandering.
Redistricting changes political borders within a geographical area.
Redistricting changes political borders within a geographical area.
revision of the geographic boundaries within a state
Gerrymandering occurs when a congressional district's boundaries are redrawn to give one party a clear advantage over another. In the US, redistricting occurs after the results of the Census are tabulated. Redistricting is currently (2012) occurring in the US. Because in most states a state's legislature gets to decide on the redistricting plan, the party currently in power often attempts to give themselves an advantage in future elections by gerrymandering.
Redrawing congressional districts, known as redistricting, can lead to controversy due to the potential for gerrymandering, where boundaries are manipulated to favor one political party over another. This can distort representation, leading to unequal power dynamics and fueling partisan tensions. Additionally, stakeholders may have differing opinions on the criteria used for redistricting, such as population density or community interests, raising concerns about fairness and transparency. These disputes can escalate into legal challenges and public outcry, complicating the political landscape within state government.
The governor of a state appoints a committee charged with redistricting the voting districts according to population.
It is called Gerrymandering.
Gerrymandering applies to electoral districts, specifically legislative districts used for state and federal elections, such as congressional and state assembly districts. It involves manipulating the boundaries of these districts to favor one political party over another, which can occur in any area where districts are drawn, including urban, suburban, and rural regions. The specific districts affected vary by state and depend on the redistricting process, which typically occurs every ten years after the census.
State Legislatures