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Geography

Why Election Districts Exhibit Spatial Gerrymandering Patterns

Quick fact

The term 'gerrymander' was coined in 1812 when a Massachusetts district was drawn to resemble a salamander, and it was named after Governor Elbridge Gerry. The practice is almost as old as the United States itself.

Why this is interesting

Have you ever looked at a voting district map and saw shapes that look like a salamander or a squiggly line? Why do these districts look so bizarre, and what does that have to do with winning elections?