What is gerrymandering? Gerrymandering is a highly debated topic in the United States, with contentions dating back to 1812. Every 10 years, after the census (the official count of the U.S. population), states redraw their boundaries of the congressional and legislative districts to reflect population changes. But redistricting also allows for those in power to rig maps in their favor, a practice known as gerrymandering.
The majority of students at RHS have limited knowledge of what gerrymandering is. Because it is so prevalent in modern society, people need to learn what it is.
The first use of gerrymandering was in 1812 in Massachusetts, where, under Gov. Elbridge Gerry, the state senate district lines were redrawn. Gov. Gerry signed off on the bill that would give the Democratic-Republicans an advantage over political opponents. Even though he lost the next election, redistricting had worked. The Democratic-Republicans retained power in the state legislature.
There are two means of gerrymandering: packing and cracking. Cracking splits groups of unfavored voters into different sections. With their election powers divided, they struggle to elect their preferred candidates. Packing involves consolidating the opposing political party into as few districts as possible. This allows the packed groups to elect their candidate by a large margin.
It’s important to know that not all district lines have been gerrymandered; some just look wonky to start with. With that being said, a neat square-shaped district can be very misleading, because shape doesn’t always insinuate fairness.
In Virginia in April 2026, gerrymandering became a major controversy. Virginia voters approved a state constitutional amendment that would have allowed new congressional maps favoring Democrats, with some estimates saying Democrats could have won 10 of the state’s 11 House seats. Republicans challenged the amendment in court, arguing that the process used to place it on the ballot violated the Virginia Constitution. In May 2026, the Virginia Supreme Court struck down the amendment in a 4-3 ruling, meaning the new maps could not be used. The decision kept Virginia’s current congressional map in place for the 2026 elections and became part of the larger national debate over partisan gerrymandering.
Meanwhile, right here in Maryland, gerrymandering has long been a hot topic. While some politicians have historically pushed for maps that favor Democrats, Maryland currently holds eight seats in the U.S. House of Representatives, and recent independent redistricting efforts have aimed to make these boundaries more balanced. Gov. Wes Moore has testified in support of redistricting.
Overall, it is vital to understand what gerrymandering is and how it affects us today. Since 1812, it has remained one of the most prominent and controversial issues in American democracy.
