What term is used to describe the process of redrawing congressional district boundaries?

The process of redrawing congressional district boundaries is referred to as gerrymandering. This term originates from a blend of “Gerry,” after Elbridge Gerry, who was governor of Massachusetts and signed a bill in 1812 that created a strangely shaped electoral district, and “salamander,” which described the shape of that district. Gerrymandering is often done with the intention of benefiting a particular political party or group by manipulating district boundaries to create an advantage in elections. This can lead to districts that are irregularly shaped and do not necessarily reflect natural geographic or community boundaries.

In contrast, filibustering refers to a legislative tactic used to extend debate or delay votes, rather than to modify district boundaries. Apportionment relates to the allocation of seats in the legislature based on population, which occurs every ten years after the census, and ratification pertains to the formal approval of agreements or amendments, typically in reference to treaties or constitutional changes. Thus, the term used specifically for the redrawing of district boundaries, especially with strategic intent, is gerrymandering.