Which verb means to manipulate voting districts to favor a political party?

Which verb means to manipulate voting districts to favor a political party?

• A. Gerrymander
• B. Jejune
• C. Hedge
• D. Factitious

Answer: (A)

Manipulating voting districts to favor a political party is called gerrymandering. This term comes from a historic redistricting vote in which a district was drawn to resemble a salamander, leading to the combination of “Gerry” and “salamander.” Used as a verb, you’d say a party gerrymanders the districts to maximize its seats. The other options don’t fit: jejune means dull or simplistic; hedge means to avoid committing or to limit; factitious means artificial or not genuine. So the best choice precisely captures the act of redrawing boundaries to tilt elections.

Manipulating voting districts to favor a political party is called gerrymandering. This term comes from a historic redistricting vote in which a district was drawn to resemble a salamander, leading to the combination of “Gerry” and “salamander.” Used as a verb, you’d say a party gerrymanders the districts to maximize its seats. The other options don’t fit: jejune means dull or simplistic; hedge means to avoid committing or to limit; factitious means artificial or not genuine. So the best choice precisely captures the act of redrawing boundaries to tilt elections.