Gerrymandering is when voting boundaries are changed so a particular party gets the desired result, that result being more seats and so more representation. Now, while this sounds bad the truth is Democrats and Republicans alike have gerrymandered.
Gerrymandering usually happens after the census, which occurs every ten years. As the populations of states fluctuate and congressional seats have to be redistributed based on those changes. However, Democrats and Republicans often redistrict their states to benefit themselves in elections.
Gerrymandering isn't illegal either, not as of right now at least. The laws concerning redistricting boundaries are almost purposefully vague, allowing both parties to gerrymander equally.
There is no cap to this. There is no limit to how much a state can gerrymander. And, to be fair, nobody can expect for districts to be completely equal because people tend to choose to live in places with others who have the same or similar views. However, recently cases of surrounding gerrymandered maps have made it to the United States Supreme Court and state level Supreme Courts and have been struck down.
While racially based gerrymandering has been deemed unlawful currently party based gerrymandering is not illegal and has no real standard of what crosses the line into illegality.
This issue has gained traction because in statewide elections all over the United States for state legislation the maps are so gerrymandered against a party that it seems almost irreversible.
For instance, in the state of Pennsylvania, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court struck down the Republican-drawn district maps. Representation in Pennsylvania's state congressional delegation is 13 to 5 in the Republicans favor, which is one of the harshest to be found in the country. A better way to explain this would be that Republicans hole 13 of the 18 available seats while getting only about 50 percent of the statewide vote.Pennsylvania Republicans wanted to be reelected so when they had the majority in state legislation they drew maps that would allow them too. Maps that would make it extremely difficult for the other party, the Democrats, to gain back power and redraw the boundaries that are fair. Or, just as likely, to redraw the boundaries to give themselves an advantage.
The Republican-controlled state legislature has until February 9 to draw a new map and if a map isn't approved by February 15 the courts will draw them a new one. All the while Democratic Governor, Tom Wolf has the right to veto. All in plenty of time for midterm elections.
North Carolina also had their map struck down by the Supreme Court and are being forced into redrawing their maps.
Republicans are not the only party gerrymandering their state to kingdom come. In March the Supreme Court will see the gerrymandering case against the Democratic party in Maryland.
Gerrymandering can be harmless, but it also can be dangerous as a party can rig the system to elect certain politicians without the knowledge of their constituents, the voters.
So keep an eye out and hold your state government responsible, regardless of party. And participate in your local and state elections.