Which term refers to the redrawing of district boundaries to benefit a political party?

• A. Gerrymandering
• B. Redistricting
• C. Realignment
• D. Reapportionment

Answer: (A)

The term that refers to the redrawing of district boundaries to benefit a political party is gerrymandering. This practice involves manipulating the geographic boundaries of electoral districts to give an advantage to a particular party or group. Gerrymandering can be executed by packing voters of one party into a few districts to minimize their influence elsewhere or by spreading them across many districts to dilute their voting power.

Redistricting is the process of redrawing district lines, which can occur every ten years after the census, but it does not inherently carry the implication of partisan intent. Realignment refers to a significant shift in the political landscape, often related to voter behavior, while reapportionment deals with the allocation of congressional seats based on population changes after the census. Therefore, while these other terms relate to electoral dynamics, gerrymandering specifically addresses the strategic manipulation of district boundaries for political gain.