Answer :
Final answer:
The correct term for when a state legislature redistricts to benefit current lawmakers is pro-incumbent gerrymandering. It is a tactic used by the majority party in a state legislature to secure a greater likelihood of reelection for its members.
Explanation:
When a state legislature redistricts in a way that benefits representatives who are already in the state legislature, it is known as pro-incumbent gerrymandering. This type of gerrymandering occurs when the party in control of the state legislature uses the process of redistricting to design districts that favor its current officeholders, thereby increasing the likelihood that these incumbents will be reelected.
Essentially, pro-incumbent gerrymandering is part of the broader practice of gerrymandering, which also includes other forms such as partisan gerrymandering (drawing districts to favor a particular political party), racial gerrymandering (manipulating district lines based on race, which the courts have deemed unconstitutional), and the practice of either 'packing' minority party voters into a few districts or 'cracking' their vote across multiple districts to dilute their influence.