gerrymander

/ˈdʒɛriˌmændər/

manipulate electoral boundaries for political advantage

The party gerrymandered the district to secure more votes.

They redrew the district lines to favor their candidates.

Law

formal

To manipulate the boundaries of an electoral district to favor one political party or group.

Critics accused the government of gerrymandering to maintain power.

They were blamed for unfairly redrawing district lines to stay in control.

Derived from the name of Elbridge Gerry, a 19th-century U.S. governor whose district map resembled a salamander.

Collocations

gerrymander a districtredraw district lines for political gaingerrymandering scandalcontroversy over unfair electoral boundaries

strategies in gerrymandering

This term is almost exclusively used in discussions about elections and voting rights.

Gerrymandering is often challenged in courts as a violation of fair representation.

From 'Gerry' (Elbridge Gerry) + 'mander' (from salamander, due to the shape of the district). Coined in 1812.

Primarily used in political and legal contexts to describe unethical electoral practices.

Gerry

Elbridge Gerry, U.S. governor

prefix

mander

from salamander (due to district shape)

suffix

English Dictionary