What does gerrymandering involve?

Gerrymandering refers specifically to the practice of redrawing legislative boundaries in such a way that it gives one political party an advantage over others. This is typically done by manipulating district lines to create a concentration of voters that favors a particular party, allowing them to secure more electoral power than they would otherwise obtain through a fairer distribution of votes. By shaping the districts strategically, politicians can increase their party's chances of winning elections, thus undermining the principle of fair representation in a democracy.

The concept involves a thorough understanding of population demographics and voting patterns, enabling data-driven decisions on how to draw boundaries effectively. This practice can lead to significant distortion in the political landscape and has historical implications for electoral integrity and public trust in governance.