GERRYMANDERED Meaning and
Definition
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Gerrymandered is an adjective used to describe a political district that has been deliberately designed in a manipulative or strategic manner to give an unfair advantage to a particular party or group. It originates from the combination of the words "Gerry" and "salamander" and is derived from the name Elbridge Gerry, a U.S. politician who was involved in drawing district boundaries in Massachusetts in 1812.
The term refers to the process of redrawing electoral district boundaries in a way that benefits one political party by concentrating the opposition voters into as few districts as possible or spreading them across multiple districts, ultimately diluting their voting power. This practice is often employed by the dominant party or those who have the authority to redraw the district lines, such as a state legislature.
Gerrymandered districts are characterized by their irregular and convoluted shapes, as they are drawn with careful consideration of voting patterns and demographic data to manipulate the outcome of elections. The goal behind gerrymandering is usually to secure and maintain a political advantage, in terms of the number of seats or representation the party gains in the legislature or congress.
Critics argue that gerrymandering can undermine the principles of a fair and equal democratic process by denying voters their fundamental right to choose their representatives. It can lead to uncompetitive elections, reduce accountability of elected officials, and perpetuate partisan dominance. Efforts to combat gerrymandering include advocating for independent redistricting commissions, court challenges, and calls for increased transparency and public input in the redistricting process.
Common Misspellings for GERRYMANDERED
- jerrymandered
- ferrymandered
- verrymandered
- berrymandered
- herrymandered
- yerrymandered
- terrymandered
- gwrrymandered
- gsrrymandered
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- geerymandered
- gedrymandered
- gefrymandered
- getrymandered
- ge5rymandered
- ge4rymandered
- Gerrimanderd
Etymology of GERRYMANDERED
The term "gerrymandered" originated in the United States during the early 19th century. It combines two words: "Gerry" and "salamander". Elbridge Gerry was a prominent American politician who served as the governor of Massachusetts in 1812. At that time, he endorsed a redistricting plan that heavily favored his political party, the Democratic-Republicans.
To depict the unusually shaped districts resulting from this political manipulation, a Boston newspaper published a political cartoon in 1812. The cartoon depicted a district that resembled a mythical salamander, with claws, wings, and a long tail. A Massachusetts Federalist named Benjamin Russell reportedly coined the term, combining Gerry's name with the word "salamander", thus creating "gerrymander".
The cartoon and the term garnered significant attention, ultimately entering the American lexicon as a description of the practice of manipulating district boundaries to gain political advantage.
Conjugate verb Gerrymandered
CONDITIONAL
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FUTURE
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FUTURE PERFECT
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PAST
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PAST PERFECT
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PRESENT
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PRESENT PERFECT
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