- Susan Ruch
- Aug 11
- 6 min read
Gerrymandering 101: How much do we know about “Gerrymandering”? Texas has brought this subject to the forefront with the plan to redraw its voting districts. Historically, gerrymandering has been done since March 26, 1812, in Massachusetts. Interestingly, the
origin of the term "Gerrymandering" was first used after a review of Massachusetts' redistricting maps in 1812, set by Democrat Governor Elbridge Gerry. The Boston Gazette noted that the redrawing of one of the state senate districts resembled a mythical salamander. Even though the Democrat Party did not want the Governor to redistrict, Gerry did so anyway and signed the bill into law in 1812. As a result, he received the dubious honor of attribution, along with its negative connotations. This plan was not well received by Massachusetts voters, and he was not re-elected.
Whether it's a fair tactic or not, Gerrymandering has been done by both parties ever since.
In 1874, South Carolina introduced the first non-contiguous voting district (non-adjacent). The U.S. House of Representatives forced South Carolina to revert to contiguous districts for the 1876 election. The U.S. House of Representatives instructed the state that it wouldn’t seat any more members elected under such a system. In 1882, South Carolina created a
“boa constrictor” district that concentrated Black Americans—who made up the majority of the state’s population—into one winding district, so that every other district had a white majority. It is shocking how generation after generation is so brainwashed, believing the Democratic Party is supporting the black minority. Gerrymandering in the South declined in the early 20th century due to the success of suppressing Black voters through poll taxes, the threat of lynching, and other insidious tactics. Because the majority of people who could vote in southern states were white and usually Democrats, the white Democrat establishment didn’t feel the need to manipulate districts to maintain its majority. In the 1960s, a 'Redistricting Revolution' emerged, challenging Gerrymandering.
In fact, after the 1900 census, some states hadn’t revised their districts at all until the 1960s. As more people moved to cities, particularly Black Americans and immigrants, these state-maintained districts gave disproportionate power to white, rural, non-immigrant Americans. The U.S. Supreme Court changed this in the 1960s with a series of decisions known as the “Redistricting Revolution.” Under Chief Justice Earl Warren, the court ruled that all state
voting districts must have roughly equal populations. In addition, states must adjust their federal congressional districts after every 10-year census so that each of the 435 members in the U.S. House of Representatives represents roughly the same number of people. Combined with the Voting Rights Act of 1965, which protected Black Americans’ right to vote, these Supreme Court decisions ensured voters were more evenly represented in their state legislatures and the U.S. House of Representatives. The court singled out the U.S. Senate as a unique institution whose members didn’t need to define the same number of people. But within a couple of decades, computer technology made it easier for political operatives to strategically map districts to benefit their party under the new rules.
When does Gerrymandering become Illegal? While partisan gerrymandering is generally
not addressed by federal courts, drawing district lines based on race is prohibited under federal law. The Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment and Section 2 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 forbid redistricting plans that dilute the voting power of racial minorities. These protections ensure minority groups have an equal opportunity to participate in the political process and elect their preferred candidates. As a side note, politics being politics, several common tactics in Gerrymandering are used that are illegal: Cracking involves splitting a concentrated minority population across multiple districts. Packing refers to concentrating a large number of minority voters into a single district,
which reduces their influence in surrounding districts. When there are challenges to the Equal Protection Clause of the 14th Amendment, it is most often necessary to prove that race was the predominant factor in drawing the district lines. Under the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a redistricting plan must not result in a denial or abridgment of the right to vote on account of race.
Nevada’s redistricting in 2021 under Governor Sisolak had three significant problems. The first was that when drawing maps, there was little consideration for the Representatives in the North, with huge, vast areas that make it nearly impossible for one person to cover, leaving voters feeling they have limited representation. The second was Joe Biden’s open-border policy. Lastly, Joe Biden or the autopen signing of Executive Order 13986 H Including illegal immigrants in the census. Biden overturned a previous Trump executive order, 13880, that disbarred illegals from being counted in the Census. This was done for the enumeration and determining congressional apportionment throughout the country. Biden allowed somewhere between fifteen and twenty million illegals into our country, giving larger states additional Congressional appointments. Even though our state has its share of illegal immigrants, it did not change the number of Congressional seats for Nevada. Nevada continues to be at the bottom of every list, so it is no surprise that the Gerrymandering Project gave Nevada an F. (All my references are at the bottom for further research.) Horsford, Amodei, Lee, and Titus are our Congressional Members who represent our state. Three of our four representatives are from the Las Vegas area and are Democrats; thankfully, we have Congressman Amodei, in the north, as the lone Republican. We must vote in 2026 and re-elect Congressman Mark Amodei.
Why does this matter? Where do most illegals live? Towns and cities with our black and brown citizens, our largest populations. A congressional district is a geographic area within a state that appoints one member to represent it in the United States House of Representatives. Thankfully, President Trump is signing another executive order, which will lead to another census that will not include illegals. We cannot tolerate corrupt gerrymandering in these large, diverse populations. Dearborn, Michigan, already has one Congresswoman of very questionable loyalties to the U.S.A., Rashida Tlaib, who does not believe in our Judeo-Christian values and would like some version of the Quran to take the place of our Constitution. I ask that you please support President Trump’s initiative to conduct the Census again. We need all the illegals to be removed from our census. They are not legally allowed to vote, so why would we want to include their count as a deciding factor in who receives another appointment to Congress? God Bless President Trump and his administration.
References:
Don’t forget our upcoming events:
Movie Night: Rediscovering God in America, August 14, 6 PM, Casino Fandango, Craft 55 Room. Newt Gingrich sounds a clarion call for us to recognize life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness that we all hold dear.
Let’s Get Started, Precinct Meeting Saturday, August 16, 10 AM to 12 PM, being held at the Ormsby Room of the Sheriff’s Department, 911 Musser Street, Carson City. We need your help with precincts in Carson City. Come out and see how you can make a difference. (775) 841-1800 for further information
Lazy Days of Summer BBQ Fundraiser at the Governor’s Mansion, August 23, 4 to 8 PM. You can buy tickets online or at the CCRP Headquarters. All the information is online at https://www.carsoncityrepublicans.com
General Membership Meeting, August 28, 2025, Casino Fandango, Craft 55 Room, 3800 S. Carson Street. Doors open at 6:30 and are open to the public. This month, Board of Supervisor Maurice MO White will be our speaker. Mo will provide us with an update on the workings of Carson City. We will have a question-and-answer period. Be sure to join us so that you stay informed. We look forward to seeing you there.
First Friday, September 5, will be held at Cellar 8, a new trendy Wine Bar, 6 to 8 PM. 408 N. Carson Street. Come and join us at this new wine bar for lively conversation and to make new friends. We will have complimentary appetizers for you. They serve a great selection of wines, as well as some unique bourbons and scotches.
Fundraising: We need your Help. We operate on donations only. We are fundraising to help win the 2026 election. In 2024 we did not fair well in Nevada legislature (dominated by Las Vegas). At the National level we won the 2024 election, and now we must win the 2026 election. How do we use our funds? We assist candidates by hosting town hall meetings, conducting door-to-door outreach with literature, and providing our highest level of service through personalized mailings to you, featuring recommended candidates for all Republican voters. Our office is for all of you, but we operate on donations only. We are greatly appreciative of all donations. Your donations keep our lights on and allow us to advance our Republican Conservative Values. Our Supporters can donate right on our website, or you can mail a donation to our Carson City Republican Party, 1971 California Street, Carson City, NV 89701.
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God Bless America, Nevada, Carson City, and YOU.
Your chairman,
Susan Ruch
