The practice of "gerrymandering"—making legislative adjustments of state voting districts to benefit one party or group of voters—is nearly always intended to disenfranchise and/or marginalize groups of otherwise qualified voters. Consequently, the practice ought to be outlawed and abolished as a violation of the Constitution—specifically, the 1st, 9th, 12th, 15th, 17th, 19th, and 24th Amendments.
Why is this important?
Among the basic foundations of American democracy are: No taxation without representation; a still-unrealized ideal which expands voting rights and opportunities rather than limiting or eliminating them; and Constitutional amendments which guarantee the rights to freedom of expression, opinion, and representation (one person, one vote) at both the state and federal levels. Gerrymandering is a blatant attempt to negate any or all of these American rights and privileges, and should be declared a violation of federal law.
