Gerrymandering is the political manipulation of electoral district boundaries to advantage a particular party, group, or socioeconomic class within a constituency. It typically involves "cracking" (diluting the voting power of the opposing party's supporters across many districts) or "packing" (concentrating the opposing party's voters in one district to reduce their influence elsewhere). This practice aims to influence election outcomes in favor of those drawing the districts, often undermining the democratic process.

The term "gerrymandering" originated in 1812 when Massachusetts Governor Elbridge Gerry signed a redistricting bill that created a district said to resemble a salamander in shape. This term is a portmanteau of "Gerry" and "salamander".

Gerrymandering can also involve racial or ethnic considerations to dilute minority voting power (racial gerrymandering), which is legally challenged under certain circumstances, unlike partisan gerrymandering in many states.