Short Answer 
Gerrymandering manipulates electoral district boundaries to favor a particular political party, leading to unequal representation and skewed election outcomes. This process strengthens the ruling party, weakens minority parties, and diminishes voter engagement, often resulting in calls for reform.
Step 1: Understanding Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering refers to the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to benefit a particular political party. This process allows the party in power to draw voting districts in a way that maximizes their electoral advantage. It can distort the representation by either concentrating or diluting opposing voters. The result is often unequal representation in legislative bodies.
Step 2: Impact of Gerrymandering on Elections
The effects of gerrymandering become evident when examining the wasted vote effect. This occurs when votes for the losing candidates in a district do not contribute to any electoral gain, resulting in a skewed election outcome. The manipulation of district boundaries leads to the following consequences:
- Strengthened position for the ruling party.
- Weakened representation for minority parties.
- Increased polarization and reduced competitiveness in elections.
Step 3: The Process of Drawing Congressional Districts
States are responsible for electing their representatives through congressional districts, which are often drawn by state legislatures. These districts are ideally supposed to reflect the population’s interests, but due to gerrymandering, they often serve partisan goals instead. The implications of this process include:
- Districts designed to protect incumbents.
- Limited voter choice and engagement.
- Potential legal challenges and calls for reform.