The Impact of Gerrymandering on Representative Democracy

Ours is a representative democracy . The people pass federal laws through their representatives. But what happens when those representatives loosen their connection to the people so much that they cease to be representative? Consider what's happening with gerrymandering across the country. It's been around since 1812, when Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry drew a Boston district resembling a slithering salamander to benefit his party.

But like many vices, this one can merely diminish us, or in sufficient excess it can destroy us. Here's how it works. Let's say you have a large block of pro-life voters smack in the middle of your state. To empower them, ask the state legislature to draw lines to divide them into two districts where they make up let's say 50 percent of the voters in both districts. They could easily elect two pro-life legislators to Congress. But let's say you want to diminish their influence

Gerrymandering Representative Democracy Influence Voters Legislators

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