Gerrymandering– the process of drawing legislative districts to favor a specific political party or individual. It is undemocratic. Voters should be able to select their representatives in open and fair elections. Gerrymandering robs voters of a fair election.
The origins of the word are well known. Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts signed a redistricting bill in the early 1800s that concentrated partisan voting strength into favorable districts, one of which looked like a salamander. Gerry + salamander is the etymology of gerrymandering.
We’re currently seeing a blatant attempt at gerrymandering in Virginia. Democrats have made an absurd map that deliberately turns the Commonwealth from 6- 5 Democrat to Republican to 10 -1. The new 7th looks like a blue-tailed lobster, more on that here.
The Virginia Way is dead.