Gerrymandering

Multiple Choice

What is the main purpose of gerrymandering?

• To create fair and equal districts

• To increase representation for all parties equally

• To change the balance of power in favor of one political party

• To reduce the number of districts

Open Ended

Explain how the editorial cartoon of a salamander relates to the concept of gerrymandering.

Multiple Choice

What is the primary effect of 'cracking' in gerrymandering?

• Diluting one group's share of the vote

• Concentrating one group into a single district

• Merging two districts into one

• Eliminating minority representation entirely

Multiple Choice

What legal principle did the North Carolina redistricting plan violate according to the federal judges in January 2018?

• The 14th Amendment’s guarantee of equal protection

• The 1st Amendment’s freedom of speech

• The 2nd Amendment’s right to bear arms

• The 10th Amendment’s states’ rights

Multiple Select

Which of the following are goals of using an algorithm to redraw congressional districts, as shown in the North Carolina example?

• Maximize compactness

• Keep districts of similar-sized population

• Favor one political party

• Reduce the number of districts

Open Ended

In your own words, explain how gerrymandering can affect the balance of political power in a country.

Open Ended

Why might it be significant if politicians are able to choose their voters rather than voters choosing their politicians?