Answer :
Final answer:
Gerrymandering is the process of manipulating legislative districts to favor a certain party, creating 'safe seats'. While the practice is legal, it's only when racial minorities' votes are diluted that these efforts can be challenged under the Voting Rights Act. Technological advances have made gerrymandering increasingly efficient and durable.
Explanation:
Gerrymandering is the practice of manipulating the boundaries of legislative districts to favor a certain political party or candidate. Named after Massachusetts governor Elbridge Gerry, who signed a redistricting plan with this intention in 1812, the term itself merges "salamander" (alluding to the irregular shape of these districts) with the governor's last name.
Utilizing this approach, political parties can create "safe seats" where a particular party is almost certain to win. Such districts can be found across the country, favoring Democrats in states like Maryland, and Republicans in places like Louisiana. However, it’s only when gerrymandering appears to dilute the votes of racial minorities that such efforts can be challenged under the Voting Rights Act.
Methods such as computer-aided map making and advanced algorithms have turned gerrymandering into a precise science. With these tools, map makers know exactly where to set district boundaries to pre-determine the outcomes and predict future population shifts, making the effects of gerrymandering increasingly stable over time.
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