What is gerrymandering?

Gerrymandering refers specifically to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries in such a way that it gives one political party an advantage over others in elections. This is typically achieved by either "packing" voters from the opposing party into a single district or "cracking" them across multiple districts to dilute their voting power.

This tactic can significantly affect the outcome of elections and is often viewed as a way to entrench incumbents and create partisan advantage. It serves to influence the composition of legislative bodies as the district lines directly determine how voters are grouped and represented. Understanding gerrymandering is crucial for recognizing the potential for bias in the electoral process and its implications for democratic representation.

In contrast, the other choices describe different aspects of the electoral process or unrelated concepts. Conducting a fair election implies neutrality and integrity, and redistricting done in a fair manner does not involve intentional manipulation. Strategies for increasing voter turnout focus on engagement rather than boundary manipulation. Thus, the essence of gerrymandering is accurately captured by identifying it as a tactic aimed at favoring a political party through strategic boundary changes.