ON THIS DAY IN UNITED STATES HISTORY
February 11, 1812
Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry
Attempts to Establish a Political Advantage
for the Democratic-Republican Party
by Redrawing Senate Election Districts
On this day in 1812, Massachussetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting bill into law which would
give his Democratic-Republican party an advantage in future elections. Afterwards, the shape of one of the
resulting districts resembled a lizard or salamander and this lead to a new term "Gerrymander".
Although the practice of redistricting for political gain (Gerrymandering) is illegal, it is difficult to prove.
Nevertheless, few will deny that the practice still exists.
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