Did you know?
Did you know that Elbridge Gerry of Massachusetts played a significant role in redrawing congressional districts in his state? In 1812, Gerry, who was then serving as governor, orchestrated a controversial redistricting plan aimed at favoring his Democratic-Republican Party. His plan was criticized for creating oddly shaped districts that resembled a salamander, earning the term "gerrymandering" to describe such manipulative practices. This event marked one of the earliest known instances of gerrymandering in American politics, highlighting the importance of fair and unbiased redistricting processes today.
