By Arthur C. Schaper

Gerrymandering, the political practice of carving up awkward-looking legislative districts to benefit one party’s political power, has slithered into the public conversation once again.

Some of us remember the history behind this political practice, starting with the Governor of Massachusetts, Elbridge Gerry. Democratic-Republicans want to shore up their new power in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Federalist opponents of the maneuver mocked one of the serpentine-like districts created by the party, christened the shape with claws, wings, and razor-sharp mouth, calling the monstrosity “The Gerrymander.”

Why has the discussion roared into the public consensus this time? It started with the Texas legislature’s efforts to redraw its state’s districts after a reques

See Full Page