15 July 2015

gerrymander

[jer-i-man-der, ger-]

noun
1. U.S. Politics. the dividing of a state, county, etc., into election districts so as to give one political party a majority in many districts while concentrating the voting strength of the other party into as few districts as possible.
verb (used with object)
2. U.S. Politics. to subject (a state, county, etc.) to a gerrymander.

Origin of gerrymander
1812; after E. Gerry (governor of Massachusetts, whose party redistricted the state in 1812) + (sala)mander, from the fancied resemblance of the map of Essex County, Mass., to this animal, after the redistricting

Related forms
gerrymanderer, noun

Dictionary.com

Examples from the Web for gerrymander

Historical Examples
Consequently, every apportionment act involves more or less of the gerrymander.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

It was from this incident that the word ” gerrymander,” so often heard in politics in these days, took its name.
(The Greater Republic, Charles Morris)

He illustrates a gerrymander which actually made one Democratic vote equal to five Republican votes.
(Proportional Representation Applied To Party Government, T. R. Ashworth and H. P. C. Ashworth)

Anagram

merry garden

Today’s quote

Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know.

― Rembrandt Van Rijn

On this day

15 July 1099 – First Crusaders conquer Jerusalem.

15 July 1606 – birthday of Rembrandt, famous Dutch painter.

15 July 1815 – Napoleon surrenders and is eventually exiled on the island of St Helena.

15 July 2013 – India sends it last telegram, bringing an end to the 163 year old service. Hundreds of people attended the remaining 75 telegram offices to send their final telegrams.