Question

Which of the following is generally true of the gerrymandering of congressional districts?

A. Gerrymandering typically benefits the political party in power.
B. Gerrymandering is illegal in all U.S. states.
C. Gerrymandering always leads to fair and representative elections.
D. Gerrymandering ensures competitive races in every district.

Answer 1

Gerrymandering generally benefits the political party in power by manipulating district boundaries to create partisan advantaged districts, leading to non-competitive general elections.

Step-by-step explanation:

Regarding the gerrymandering of congressional districts, A. Gerrymandering typically benefits the political party in power is generally true. Gerrymandering involves manipulating district boundaries to favor a specific political party, creating districts that are advantageous for their candidates. This redistricting strategy maintains the status quo, often resulting in non-competitive general elections and ensuring that incumbents from the dominant party in the state legislature have better chances of reelection, as redistricting takes place predominantly at times when population counts are adjusted, such as after a census. Regardless of whether incumbents are Democrats or Republicans, the party with state legislative control at the time of redistricting holds the power to redesign districts to their benefit.