Elbridge Gerry Goes Full Salamander
from Plausibly Live - The Dave Bowman Show Podcast Hosted by Dave Bowman
On this episode ofBill Mick Live, it’s Tuesday, which means Dave Does History—and today, we’re taking on one of the most infamous political tricks in American history: gerrymandering. The term was coined on February 11, 1812, when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed off on a redistricting plan that reshaped voting districts to benefit his party. A satirical cartoonist noticed that one district looked like a salamander, and just like that—the “Gerry-mander” was born. But there’s more to Gerry than just a political scandal. He was a Founding Father, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, and even served as Vice President. So how did his name get tied to a practice both sides love to hate? And more importantly—is gerrymandering actually the problem, or is low voter engagement the real issue? Join Dave Bowman and Bill Mick as they break down the history, controversy, and lasting impact of gerrymandering—past, present, and future. Listen now!
Embed this episode
No transcript yet.