Final answer:
Elbridge Gerry redrew the Massachusetts congressional districts in 1812 to favor his party in a practice known as gerrymandering. The term comes from a political cartoon that merged Gerry's name with 'salamander' due to the bizarre shape of one district. Gerrymandering is legal but ethically questionable and can be challenged under the Voting Rights Act if it dilutes minority votes.
Step-by-step explanation:
Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts redrew the congressional districts as a tactic known as gerrymandering, which is the manipulation of legislative district boundaries to favor one political party over another. In 1812, he signed off on a redistricting plan designed to benefit his own party, the Democratic-Republican Party. This redistricting resulted in districts with odd shapes, including one that was likened to a salamander in a political cartoon, coining the term gerrymandering—a blend of Gerry's name and salamander.
Despite the practice being seen as ethically questionable, gerrymandering remains legal and is used by political parties to create 'safe seats' in Congress. The redrawing of congressional district lines can be based on partisan allegiances and can be challenged under the Voting Rights Act if it appears to dilute the votes of racial minorities. Each state legislature is responsible for redrawing district lines to favor its candidates, impacting election outcomes for decades.