Matthew Reiss
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Elbridge Gerry was a respected politician in the late 1700s and early 1800s. He signed the Declaration of Independence, served as governor of Massachusetts (1810-1811), and was elected vice president under James Madison. While governor, he tried to change the shape of voting districts to help members of his political party get elected. His system resulted in some very oddly shaped districts, including one (Gerry’s home district) that looked a little like a newt. Upon seeing a map of the bizarre regional divisions, a member of the opposing party drew feet, wings, and a head on Gerry’s district and said “That will do for a salamander!” Another member called out “Gerrymander!” Thus gerrymander became a term for such political schemes.
Examples of gerrymander in a Sentence
John Faso, New York Daily News, 18 Mar. 2024
But voters and groups may still file lawsuits over racial gerrymanders and allege that minority voters are facing discrimination as state lawmakers draw new congressional boundaries.
—Maureen Groppe, USA TODAY, 23 May 2024
Cooper Burton, ABC News, 9 Oct. 2024
The Ohio Supreme Court repeatedly ruled in 2022 its redrawn maps were unconstitutionally gerrymandered to favor Republicans.
—Sam Allard, Axios, 7 Oct. 2024
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Cite this Entry
“Gerrymander.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/gerrymander. Accessed 29 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
gerrymander
1 of 2 noun
ˈjer-ē-ˌman-dər
gerrymander
2 of 2 verbNoun
from Elbridge Gerry, former governor of Massachusetts, and salamander; so called from the shape of an election district formed during Gerry's term in office
Legal Definition
gerrymander
1 of 2 noun
gerrymander
2 of 2 transitive verbNoun
Elbridge Gerry (1744–1814) + salamander; from the shape of an election district formed during Gerry's governorship of Massachusetts
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