Answer :
Final answer:
Gerrymandering in districts through packing and cracking benefits the majority party, disadvantaging the minority party, explained in terms of manipulating electoral boundaries.
Explanation:
Two common methods of gerrymandering are packing and cracking. Packing concentrates opposing party voters into few districts, ensuring wins for the majority in others, while cracking divides voter types across districts, minimizing their representation.
In 1995 the Supreme Court came to a 5–4 decision during Miller v. Johnson that racial gerrymandering is a violation of constitutional rights and upheld decisions against redistricting that is purposely devised based on race.
The verb gerrymander first appeared in 1812 when Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry redrew district boundaries, hoping it would help his party in an upcoming senate election.