Maurice A. Ferré

Does the practice of gerrymandering— dividing election districts into units to favor a particular group— subvert democracy by making certain congressional districts “safe” for one party or the other and more susceptible to extremist views? Some argue that gerrymandering has made American politics more polarized, pulling voters away from the mainstream and farther to the left or right. Others argue, however, that its impact is limited, and that various factors— talk radio, Internet "echo chambers," and weak campaign finance laws— are far more significant. Is gerrymandering destroying the political center?