Gerrymandering Essay

In our political system, the overuse of gerrymandering and political power has allowed politicians to choose their voters than the voters choosing their politicians. This ideology makes it easier for members of a particular party to better their chances of keeping their job. The two largest political parties in our country today are the Democrats and the Republicans. They fight each other every election year for seats in the respective districts, counties, and states to win more seats. An important tool that influences redistricting is the United State census. In the constitution it is mandated that every 10 years districts need to be rearranged to represent the demographics of people. In the article, “Gerrymandering on Steroids” it discusses

the embarrassing defeats that republicans experienced in 2008. After President Obama was elected in 2008 many republican seats in state legislatures and congress were depleted. However, the 2010 Census gave republicans hope because they can redraw district lines if they pull of a majority in the state government. On the other hand, there are cases of gerrymandering in liberal states like Maryland. The district maps in states like Maryland heavily favors democratic incumbents and candidates to fill those seats. Democrats and Republicans alike use gerrymandering as a tool to gain a political advantage over the other party. Gerrymandering has delegitimized large minority groups, voters, and any major legislative initiatives for decades and it needs to be abolished.
The practice of gerrymandering is as old as the United States itself. Its founder is Elbridge Gerry who redistricted the state maps to keep his party in power. This tactic became more prominent in the 20th and 21st century. After the devastating losses republicans faced after the 2008 presidential and state elections, their representation in government reached a historical low. Karl Rove, a conservative political strategist in 2010, created a brilliant plan to retake the house and senate in 2010. Rove targeted some statehouse seats that can be won by republicans and help them win back states. Thus, republicans targeting states that helped President Obama win the presidency, and won statehouse seats there. David Daley author of the book, “Ratf**ked: The True Story Behind the Secret Plan to Steal America’s Democracy” illiterates the power of gerrymandering and how it can keep political parties in power for decades. “Politicians on both sides do it in order to get revenge on an enemy, maybe steal a seat here and there where they didn't deserve it. Gerrymandering changes in 2010. What the Republicans hit upon is a brilliant new plan to put gerrymandering on steroids, and build themselves a voter-proof firewall and it holds up in 2012." The republicans grip on power is very dangerous because they can hand pick their voter and disregard those who don’t agree with them. Strategies that undermines the public makes it difficult to elect politicians that supports them and pass important legislation.
Not only does gerrymandering keep one party in power over another, it disregards political changes that voters have made since the recent election.

For instance when Hakeem Jeffries ran for New York State assembly gerrymandering peaked in manipulation. Mr. Jeffries was running against an incumbent for district 57 who wanted to keep his job. In the video, “How Elections are Rigged – Gerrymandering” Hakeem Jeffries was stunned that the incumbent gerrymandered him out of his voters district; preventing him from reaching his base. Thus during Election Day voters in district 57 couldn’t vote for Hakeem Jeffries because his name wouldn’t be on the ballot. Gerrymandering that’s being used to personal attack a candidate is wrong and discriminatory. Gerrymandering needs to be outlawed to prevent politicians from cheating their

voters.
Although Gerrymandering has been deemed horrible by the general public, gerrymandering it has been a part of our democracy.

Ever since the first district was gerrymandered in the late 1700’s by Eldridge Gerry, it paved the way for politicians to keep their seats. It allows politicians to have the freedom to choose which district they would like to govern. In the article, “This Is What Gerrymandering Would Look Like” it talks about enforcing a separate committee to redistrict maps instead of politicians. People that are for Gerrymandering believe it takes power away from them and makes it harder to seek reelection. Thus the new shift of power will disrupt every congressional district in the United States. For instance, areas where people believe in one political ideology would be forced to vote with a party that doesn’t believe in their views. This is why politicians want to have a close involvement with their voters and be a part of what they represent. On the other hand, gerrymandering prevents change politically especially when the ideologies of a voters group changes. This is the same troubling issue private citizens are going through because it creates a wall between voter and candidate. Ridding Gerrymandering from our political system and instituting computerized fixations of the districts creates an even playing ground for

everyone.
In the 21st century Gerrymandering evolved not only to prevent candidates from winning elections but to prevent political parties from reaching power. Gerrymandering should be illegal because it prevents change and keeps politicians in power for a long periods of time. In addition, voter discrimination is used to limit the influence once group of people have over another. This inspires misrepresentation between voter and candidate. Americans should be more active in their political system today and prevent themselves from losing their voice.