''Gerrymandering'' is a 2010 documentary feature film written and directed by Jeff Reichert. The film explores the history and the ethical, moral and racial problems raised by redistricting, i.e., the drawing of boundaries of electoral districts in the United States. ''Gerrymandering'' covers the history of the redistricting practice, how it is used and abused, how it benefits the two major political parties, Democrats and

Republicans Republican can refer to: Political ideology * An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law. ** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...

Etymology

The etymology of the word gerrymandering dates back to a redrawing of Massachusetts' state Senate election districts in 1812. It was named after the governor of Massachusetts,

Elbridge Gerry Elbridge Gerry (; July 17, 1744 – November 23, 1814) was an American Founding Father, merchant, politician, and diplomat who served as the fifth vice president of the United States under President James Madison from 1813 until his death in 18 ...

, who signed a bill redistricting the state to his own advantage. One district was described as having the shape of a salamander; hence the term gerrymandering.

Content summary

Jeff Reichert uses the successful campaign for California’s Proposition 11, which was designed to take redistricting power away from the state legislature and give it to the Citizens Redistricting Commission, as a through-line for the film. The film also uses several historical examples of gerrymandering, including New York State Assemblyman Hakeem Jeffries district being redrawn by the incumbent so that he could not wage an electoral challenge as he was no longer a resident. The documentary also explores the events of the

2003 Texas redistricting The 2003 Texas redistricting refers to a controversial mid-decade state plan that defined new congressional districts. In the 2004 elections, this redistricting supported the Republicans taking a majority of Texas's House seats for the first ...

, when Representative Tom DeLay and Gov.

Rick Perry James Richard Perry (born March 4, 1950) is an American politician who served as the 14th United States secretary of energy from 2017 to 2019 and as the 47th governor of Texas from 2000 to 2015. Perry also ran unsuccessfully for the Republica ...

, both Republicans, sought to redraw the map of the state’s Congressional districts to favor Republicans. As they lacked the votes to stop the legislation, 52 Democrats from the House of Representatives fled to

Oklahoma Oklahoma (; Choctaw language, Choctaw: ; chr, ᎣᎧᎳᎰᎹ, ''Okalahoma'' ) is a U.S. state, state in the South Central United States, South Central region of the United States, bordered by Texas on the south and west, Kansas on the nor ...

to prevent a

quorum A quorum is the minimum number of members of a deliberative assembly (a body that uses parliamentary procedure, such as a legislature) necessary to conduct the business of that group. According to ''Robert's Rules of Order Newly Revised'', the ...

. However, when they returned, Mr. DeLay ultimately got the legislation needed to redraw the districts passed.

Appearances

''Gerrymandering'' draws on the perspectives from different individuals, reporters, pundits and politicians including

Arnold Schwarzenegger Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger (born July 30, 1947) is an Austrian and American actor, film producer, businessman, retired professional bodybuilder and politician who served as the 38th governor of California between 2003 and 2011. ''Time'' ...

, Howard Dean,

Bob Graham Daniel Robert "Bob" Graham (born November 9, 1936) is an American lawyer, author, and politician who served as the 38th governor of Florida from 1979 to 1987 and a United States senator from Florida from 1987 to 2005. He is a member of the Dem ...

, Lani Guiner,

Ed Rollins Edward Rollins (born March 19, 1943) is an American political consultant and advisor who has worked on several high-profile Republican political campaigns in the United States. In 1983 and 1984, he was national campaign director for the succes ...

, John Fund, Gerald Hebert and Susan Lerner, and an array of lesser-known personalities.

Reception

On Rotten Tomatoes, the film has a score of 40% based on reviews from 20 critics, with an average rating of 5.5 out of 10. On Metacritic, the film has a score of 49% based on reviews from 9 critics (2 positive, 7 mixed). Owen Gleiberman of The A.V. Club gave ''Gerrymandering'' a C - and '' Entertainment Weekly'' gave the documentary a B+.

References

External links

* * * * * {{Metacritic film, title=Gerrymandering 2010 films 2010 documentary films American documentary films Documentary films about American politics Gerrymandering in the United States 2010s English-language films 2010s American films