Question

Why was gerrymandering made illegal?

Answer 1

When you draw lines around neighborhoods populated by people you don't like or do like, you create an artificial voting transition. People on one side of the line may well vote completely differently from those on the other side, if they vote at all. If you represent a low-voting bloc or an isolated, poor and ignorant district, you have less persuasion among those of your peers representing the informed voters. This effectively disenfranchises anyone who lives in your district, even though they are bound by the same laws as everyone else.

It's one thing to have a natural or census boundary (you get what you get, with whatever people happen to choose to live there), but another thing entirely if you allow artificial districting based intentionally along economic, racial, language or religious lines.

Answer 2

Gerrymandering isn't illegal -- it occurs frequently based on voting results, age, occupations, etc. As long as the criterion for drawing election districts is not based on race. Equal treatment based on race is a protection guaranteed by the Constitution. Gerrymandering based a race is illegal. In those areas previously thought to discriminate based on race, election district boundary changes require the consent of the Justice Dept.

The problem that could result is that person can be denied their right to equal treatment under the law.

Answer 3

I think this is the answer.

The problem that could result is that person can be denied their right to equal treatment under the law.

Answer 4

Source: http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20130508120428AARUlJT