July 24, 2005
How long have gerrymanders been going on?
Gerrymandering is probably an original political sin. In America gerrymanders go back to the founding, with this political cartoon complaining about Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry's redistricting plan in 1812:
Note that while Gerry was a signer of the Declaration of Independence and attended the Constitutional Convention, he voted against the new Constitution and would not sign it.
A very complete description of the history and practice of gerrymanders can be found on Wikipedia. Special reports are also available on gerrymandering in the United States and California in particular.
Posted by Kevin Murphy at July 24, 2005 11:53 AM