Answer :
Final answer:
Gerrymandering is the practice of a) manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party, affecting the representation in Texas government and minority voting patterns. It is often done for political reasons and can undermine fair elections and the democratic process.
Explanation:
What is Gerrymandering?
Gerrymandering is the process of a) manipulating electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party or group. It has been used historically as a tool for political parties in power to preserve or extend their influence in government, often at the expense of fair representation. One common tactic of gerrymandering is drawing district lines that 'pack' opposition voters into a few districts or 'crack' them across many districts, diluting their voting power.
Impact of Gerrymandering in Texas
In Texas, gerrymandering has significantly affected the make-up of its government and minority voting patterns. For example, although the statewide election results may show a relatively close margin between political parties, the actual partisan balance within the legislature can be significantly skewed due to gerrymandered districts. This manipulation often results in overrepresentation of the majority party in the legislature, potentially marginalizing the votes of minorities and other political groups.
Political Reasons for Gerrymandering
The political reasons for gerrymandering include seeking to maintain power, protecting incumbents, or undermining the opposition's ability to compete effectively. While not illegal unless proven to discriminate based on race, gerrymandering is damaging to the democratic process as it can undermine the principle of 'one person, one vote' by creating disproportionate representation in government.