Which of the following statements about gerrymandering is true?

• A. It has been banned by United States Supreme Court decisions.
• B. It can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible.
• C. It guarantees greater constituency control over elected representatives.
• D. It ensures liberal control of the House of Representatives.

Answer: (B)

The statement that gerrymandering can be used by a political party to draw boundary lines to control as many districts as possible is accurate. Gerrymandering refers to the practice of manipulating the boundaries of electoral districts to favor a particular political party or group. By strategically drawing district lines, the party in power can maximize its chances of winning elections by creating districts that consolidate their voter base and dilute the opposition's influence. This often results in oddly shaped districts designed specifically to include more voters from the favored party and exclude those from the opposing party, thereby increasing the likelihood of securing a majority in those districts.

This maneuvering does not guarantee greater constituency control over elected representatives, nor does it inherently ensure liberal control of the House of Representatives. Additionally, while there have been numerous Supreme Court cases addressing aspects of gerrymandering, it has not been outright banned, as the Court has generally refrained from setting a standard for what's permissible in the context of district drawing.