Arts & Culture
Understanding Gerrymandering: Techniques and Consequences for Representation
Quick fact
The term 'gerrymander' was coined in 1812 after Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry approved a voting district that resembled a salamander. One party can win a majority of seats in a state even when it receives fewer than half of the total votes.
Why this is interesting
Did you know that the shape of your voting district might not be chosen to represent your community, but to control an election? Some districts look like a salamander—that's how this practice got its name.