Gerrymandering is the practice of drawing political district boundaries in a way that gives one political party an advantage over others. This manipulation can lead to oddly shaped districts that may not represent the actual population fairly. For example, a party might create a district that includes a majority of its supporters while excluding many voters from the opposing party. The term comes from Elbridge Gerry, a governor of Massachusetts in the early 1800s, who approved a district map that resembled a salamander. Today, gerrymandering can significantly impact elections, making it crucial for voters to understand how their districts are shaped and the implications for democracy.