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Pork Barrel – legislation that only benefits one
region or district (Congressmen are bringing
home the bacon to get re-elected)
Logrolling – Members of Congress will vote
for a bill in exchange for a bill that benefits
them (I’ll scratch your back if you scratch
mine)
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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.
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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.
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Is Mississippi an example of racial
gerrymandering? Why or why not?
How can a state avoid being accused of racial
gerrymandering?