1. What is Gerrymandering?
How has Gerrymandering influenced and continues to influence State elections

2. What is gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is a term that describes the deliberate rearrangement of the boundaries of congressional districts to influence the outcome of elections
Where did gerrymandering come from?
The original gerrymander was created in 1812 by Massachusetts’s governor Elbridge Gerry, who crafted a district for political purposes that looked like a salamander

3. What is the purpose of gerrymandering?
The purpose of gerrymandering is to either concentrate opposition votes into a few districts to gain more seats for the majority in surrounding districts (called packing), or to diffuse minority strength across many districts (called dilution).
How has Congress regulated redistricting?
In 1967, Congress passed a law requiring all U.S. representatives to be elected from single member districts—the system we use today. All other redistricting regulations come from the states or the courts

4. What political party(s) are responsible for gerrymandering?
Actually all. Both the Democrats and Republicans, and generally anyone else in power at the time, has tried to set up the Congressional Districts in their states to favor a particular political party.
American political history has demonstrated how irregular district lines were drawn with the Republicans gouging the Democrats where the GOP controlled the state legislature, and the Democrats doing the same thing to the Republicans where they held control.

5. Gerrymandering Today
Gerrymandering occurs frequently today but it is considered part of American “politics” by the Republicans and Democrats.
States that allow the Legislative Body to re-draw or re-district the Congressional Districts are the “Usual Suspects” when it comes to Gerrymandering.
This method allows the majority political party (those in charge) to redistrict to their benefit. While the minority political party has little to no say in the matter.
Pennsylvania is a state that allows the Legislative Body to redistrict.

6. New Jersey’s Independent Commission
The State of New Jersey does not allow the Legislative Body to redistrict, instead they utilize an Independent Commission.
The commission is setup equally, representing both political parties and has a consensual outsider who acts as a “tie breaker” during votes.
The commission works on “Supermajority” (2/3rds or greater) rather than Simple or Majority rule (51% or better) when voting is called for.

7. Legislative Body vs. Commission System
Legislative Body (in general)
State Legislators draw the State District (State Representatives) lines and Congressional District Lines.
Some States require the approval of the Governor or he may use his VETO power.
37 States follow this system to draw their own State District lines. While 42 States use the system to draw their Congressional District lines.
Commission System (in general)
The Commission system varies in each State but most require members of the commissions to neither be legislators nor public officials. Each state also bans commissioners from running for office in the districts they draw.

8. Pennsylvania Congressional District Maps 2000-2009 and 2010-2019

11. Pennsylvanian Gerrymandering Philadelphia – Democratic Bastion

12. Pennsylvania’s 7th District’s metamorphic gerrymandering change.

13. Gerrymandering does still occur! November 7th , 2012 Election results

14. Examples of Republican Gerrymandering 2012

15. Examples of Democratic Gerrymandering 2012

16. The Impact of Republican Gerrymandering per Democratic vote

17. Gerrymandering North Carolina Style
North Carolina’s 12th District is an excellent example of Gerrymandering.
The 12th District is not a political gerrymandering example but a racially gerrymandered example. The state tried to defend the district (along with the 1st a similar example) based on demographics, that it was the only way to draw the boundaries. The 12th and 1st have largely Black registered voters. How do African Americans usually vote?

18. State Representatives: 13 Republicans: 10 Democrats:3
North Carolina Congressional Districts 2010 to 2019
State Representatives: 13 Republicans: 10 Democrats:3
Districts 1, 4, and 12 are Democratic.

19. MARYLAND'S 3RD DISTRICT ("THE PRAYING MANTIS")

20. FLORIDA'S 5TH DISTRICT

21. ILLINOIS'S 4TH DISTRICT