The way gerrymandering is achieved is by manipulating and redrawing congressional district lines in states. The purpose for doing this is for a political party to gain numerically favorable results at the polls and in turn get more seats for their party in Congress. There are several consequences to this. For one, the representatives don’t accurately reflect the choices of the voter population. Second, gerrymandering effects the election process. When candidates run for election, they go in knowing the districts they can and cannot win, because the districts are organized in favor of a political party. Furthermore, candidates are less likely to venture away from a party’s platform and suggest something that is more of a moderate view. This then leads to a strengthening of factions and gives rise to the idea that there is no point in voting, because that vote will not make a difference. Thirdly, gerrymandering affects the efficacy of Congress, but more specifically the efficacy of the House of Representatives. If in fact one political party is significantly more represented in the House, there is less chance of there being a compromise between the political parties. This again strengthens factions. Additionally, this ends up being a case of majority rules, even though that majority might have been fabricated. Gerrymandering undermines the United States system of democracy and further divides the nation when it occurs. However, gerrymandering is not the only thing that has this
The way gerrymandering is achieved is by manipulating and redrawing congressional district lines in states. The purpose for doing this is for a political party to gain numerically favorable results at the polls and in turn get more seats for their party in Congress. There are several consequences to this. For one, the representatives don’t accurately reflect the choices of the voter population. Second, gerrymandering effects the election process. When candidates run for election, they go in knowing the districts they can and cannot win, because the districts are organized in favor of a political party. Furthermore, candidates are less likely to venture away from a party’s platform and suggest something that is more of a moderate view. This then leads to a strengthening of factions and gives rise to the idea that there is no point in voting, because that vote will not make a difference. Thirdly, gerrymandering affects the efficacy of Congress, but more specifically the efficacy of the House of Representatives. If in fact one political party is significantly more represented in the House, there is less chance of there being a compromise between the political parties. This again strengthens factions. Additionally, this ends up being a case of majority rules, even though that majority might have been fabricated. Gerrymandering undermines the United States system of democracy and further divides the nation when it occurs. However, gerrymandering is not the only thing that has this