The power of knowledge: What is gerrymandering?
Published Dominion Post, Sep. 28, 2025. Reprinted with permission.
“Gerry-mander” was first penned by the Boston Gazette on March 26, 1812. Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry (pronounced “Gary,” with a hard G) had signed a bill passed by his own Democratic-Republican Party to redraw state senate election districts. Gov. Gerry disagreed with the proposal but signed it in the name of party loyalty. The Gazette illustrated what Gerry had approved with the image of a Boston district that resembled a distorted salamander.
Gov. Gerry was an esteemed politician, signer of the Declaration of Independence, two-term member of the House of Representatives and Vice President under James Madison. Political power brokering in the name of party loyalty, specifically that manipulation of districts, successfully kept his party in office but cost him career and reputation. He lost the office of Governor in the next election. Historically, his name became associated with one political moniker that lives on. For 213 years (and counting), American political parties have continued the practice of gerrymandering. (blogs.loc.gov)
So, what exactly is “gerrymandering,” and how can you recognize a district that has been manipulated by its practice?
Gerrymandering has the purpose of drawing districts to favor one political party or group over another. (brennancenter.org) Two basic methods are used to manipulate district boundaries.
The first method is called “cracking.” A geographically compact area is “cracked” when it is split up and its parts watered down by adding extended areas that tend to vote differently. Often, when the population of an urban area tends to vote similarly, neighborhoods are pulled apart and assigned to districts that tend to vote otherwise. Cracking makes it difficult for areas with concentrated minority, socioeconomic or culturally distinct populations to elect officials who will represent their voices in government.
The second method is called “packing.” Essentially, packing concedes one district to a particular party by packing their likely voters into one voting district. Then, other districts are assigned a majority of the opposing party, giving them more representation. This effectively overwhelms opposition voices from the party in the minority.
In general, gerrymandering creates political monopolies, increases partisanship and protects politicians already in power by eliminating competition. (rockthevote.org)
What does representation look like in West Virginia? We have 1.189 million registered voters. Republicans account for 42%, Democrats 28%, Independents 25% and the remaining 5% other parties. (sos.wv.gov) The State Senate has 34 members, with 94% currently held by Republicans. The House of Delegates has 100 members, with 91% currently held by Republicans. (wvlegislature.gov) Overall, the largest political party comprises less than half of total registered voters but controls a supermajority of seats in both houses of the Legislature.
Part of the reason for this imbalance is that some districts were manipulated to put one party at a disadvantage. For example, Monongalia County may have been strategically “cracked” into two state Senate districts in 2021, despite meeting criteria to be one countywide district.
Another explanation is the prevalence of special interest campaign donations that prevent choices on voters’ ballots. Some districts may be so saturated with private influence that the opposing party does not even put up a candidate because they cannot win. Available resources may be focused instead on competitive districts.
Other strategies also come into play. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 prohibits racial gerrymandering. While the Supreme Court has largely upheld these provisions, they have permitted partisan gerrymandering. The problem, of course, lies in distinguishing one from the other.
Traditionally, redistricting occurs every ten years, after the national census. Fair districts and equal representation are then allocated based on up-to-date information on population growth and contraction. It is unusual and controversial for redistricting to be considered mid-decade, as is currently happening. The next accurate census will not be available until 2031. Voters may question the motives of states seeking to pack, crack, monopolize or protect particular parties mid-cycle.
Politicians do not always keep in mind their constituents’ or communities’ best interests when voting on laws that affect us all. Campaigns may hide alternative agendas and emphasize divisive issues. Voters need to better understand how our political system works and take that knowledge with them into the voting booth. The League is here to help.