Question

c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.

d) Describe two limits that the United States Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting
c) Explain two goals of politicians when they gerrymander during redistricting.

d) Describe two limits that the United States Supreme Court has placed on congressional redistricting
@History

Answer 1

Uhh... the purpose of gerrymandering (it's often mutual between the two parties) is to ensure, or at least promote, incumbents being re-elected. So basically the idea is let's say you have two towns next to each other, one on top of the other, top one called TOWN A and bottom one called TOWN B. Let's say the westside of TOWN A tends to vote Republican, the eastside of TOWN A tends to vote Democratic, the westside of TOWN B tends to vote Democratic, and the eastside of TOWN B tends to vote Republican. Gerrymandering is going to create a very thin sliver of land to connect these two Republican areas, and another thin sliver of land to connect these two Democratic areas, creating one strongly Republican congressional district, and another strongly Democratic congressional district. So Gerrymandering is largely set up to favour incumbents.

Answer 2

Politicians may also gerrymander in order to get key buildings or institutions within their congressional district. Hypothetically, let's say there is a university near by a congressman's district. He/she may want to gerrymander to get that university within their district, as this may give the congressman reason to allocate more funds from the federal budget to fund the university (and also get the credit for bringing home the bacon!). That would be another reason for gerrymandering.

Answer 3

I really don't know too much about restrictions the supreme court has placed on gerrymandering, so I can't help you on that question. Sorry :S