What does gerrymander mean?
Gerrymandering is the deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries to give one political party, candidate, or group an advantage over its rivals. By drawing districts so that supporters are packed together in seats they win overwhelmingly while opposition votes are dispersed among districts they lose, the practice can weaken the political influence of the opposing side regardless of the statewide vote. Gerrymander is both a noun for such a manipulation and a verb for carrying one out, although gerrymandering is the more common form in formal political discussion. The term is used in British and American contexts and elsewhere, and it usually carries a critical or accusatory tone. The word has a memorable origin: it was created in the early nineteenth century from the name Elbridge Gerry and the salamander because a controversial map of electoral districts appeared to resemble one. Gerrymandering remains a central issue because district maps can shape representation long before an election occurs.
The deliberate manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a political party, candidate, or group.
"The commission's map was widely condemned as partisan gerrymandering."
Also commonly expressed as gerrymandering, especially when referring to the general practice or process.
To manipulate electoral district boundaries in order to favor a political party, candidate, or group.
"The administration sought to gerrymander the electoral districts before the election."
The object is typically a set of districts, a state, or a legislative constituency.
Used for separate instances of district manipulation, especially in different states or jurisdictions; gerrymandering is more common when referring to the practice generally.
"The report documented several gerrymanders that had altered the electoral balance in state legislatures."
The word blends Elbridge Gerry with salamander because a controversial redistricting map was said to resemble the creature.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does gerrymander come from?
The word was coined in the early nineteenth century in the United States from the surname Gerry, referring to Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry, and the noun salamander. A controversial redistricting map associated with Gerry was said to resemble a salamander, and critics used the combined name for the tactic. The resulting gerrymandering became the standard label for politically motivated manipulation of constituency boundaries.
Related word forms
How gerrymander is actually used
The term is chiefly used in political and electoral contexts and normally carries a critical or accusatory connotation, implying an attempt to entrench one side at another's expense. The form gerrymandering is more common when referring to the process in general.
Easily confused with gerrymander
Germander is primarily the name of several plants in the mint family, whereas gerrymander specifically refers to manipulating electoral district boundaries.