What is the term for an oddly shaped district designed to increase the voting strength of a particular group?

Study for the Virginia Civics SOL Test. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your readiness and boost your confidence for the exam!

The term "gerrymander" refers specifically to the practice of drawing district boundaries in a way that gives an advantage to a particular political party or group. This often involves creating oddly shaped districts that can disfavor opposing groups or enhance the voting strength of a targeted constituency. The primary goal of gerrymandering is to manipulate the electoral system to achieve favorable outcomes for those in power, often degrading fair representation.

For context, districting refers to the general process of establishing electoral districts, while redistricting specifically involves redrawing these boundaries to reflect population changes. Constituency refers to the body of voters or residents represented by an elected official, but it does not imply anything about how those districts are shaped or the intent behind their design. Thus, the term that accurately conveys the concept of strategically drawn boundaries intended to benefit a specific group is gerrymander.

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