Finesentence mobile logo
Sign in Login / Register

Gerrymander Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations

🗳️
Add to dictionary

gerrymander

[ˈdʒɛr.iˌmæn.dɚ ]

Definition

Context #1 | Verb

political manipulation

To gerrymander is to manipulate the boundaries of an electoral constituency to favor a particular political party or group. This practice aims to maximize electoral advantages by concentrating or diluting votes in certain areas. The term comes from the name of Elbridge Gerry, a Massachusetts governor, whose 1812 redistricting plan resembled a salamander. Gerrymandering can significantly impact election outcomes by altering the demographic makeup of constituencies.

Synonyms

arrange, manipulate, redistrict.

Examples of usage

  • The party tried to gerrymander the districts to ensure a majority.
  • Gerrymandering often leads to uncompetitive elections.
  • Activists protested against the attempts to gerrymander the state.
  • The judge ruled against the gerrymandered map put forward by the legislature.

Translations

To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.

Interesting Facts

Historical Origins

  • The term comes from a combination of Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's name and the word 'salamander,' due to a bizarrely shaped election district he created in 1812.
  • Political maps showing gerrymandered districts often make them look like strange animals, highlighting the unusual forms used to manipulate voting results.
  • In the 1800s, gerrymandering began as a partisan strategy and has evolved to encompass technology, with modern methods analyzing demographic data.

Politics

  • Many U.S. states practice this tactic to favor one political party, particularly during redistricting, which occurs every ten years following the census.
  • Gerrymandered districts can dilute the voting power of specific communities, leading to calls for reform to create fairer electoral maps.
  • There is an ongoing debate about the legality and ethics of gerrymandering, with court cases challenging extreme cases as unconstitutional.

Pop Culture

  • Gerrymandering has been featured in popular TV shows like 'Parks and Recreation' and 'The Simpsons,' often parodying its absurdity.
  • In creative art and literature, the term has been used metaphorically to describe any situation where boundaries are manipulated for unfair advantage.
  • Documentaries and films explore the concept of gerrymandering, highlighting its impact on democracy and voter representation in the U.S.

Education

  • Various educational programs teach students about gerrymandering as part of civics education, fostering discussions on fair representation.
  • Many states have introduced independent commissions to oversee redistricting to combat gerrymandering and educate citizens on how it affects politics.
  • Interactive tools and websites help individuals visualize gerrymandered districts, offering a hands-on approach to understanding its effects.

Origin of 'gerrymander'

The term 'gerrymander' originates from the name of Elbridge Gerry, who was the governor of Massachusetts in the early 19th century. In 1812, he signed a bill that redistricted the state in a way that favored his political party, the Democratic-Republicans, against the Federalists. The new district shapes included one that reportedly resembled a salamander. A political cartoonist, Gilbert Stuart, is credited with coining the term by combining Gerry's name with 'salamander.' Since then, gerrymandering has been a term used to describe manipulation of electoral boundaries across the United States and beyond, often criticized for undermining democratic processes.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #37,136, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.