By — Judy Woodruff Judy Woodruff By — Lorna Baldwin Lorna Baldwin Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/show/americas-long-history-of-gerrymandering-and-its-role-in-this-years-midterms Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Audio Following partisan battles over political maps, nearly 35 million Americans will vote in congressional districts redrawn ahead of this year's midterms. As the nation marks its 250th anniversary, Judy Woodruff explores the origins of gerrymandering and why this centuries-old practice remains one of the most powerful tools in American politics. It's part of her series, Crossroads: America at 250. Listen to this Segment By — Judy Woodruff Judy Woodruff Judy Woodruff is a senior correspondent and the former anchor and managing editor of the PBS News Hour. She has covered politics and other news for five decades at NBC, CNN and PBS. @judywoodruff By — Lorna Baldwin Lorna Baldwin Lorna Baldwin is an Emmy and Peabody award winning producer at the PBS NewsHour. In her two decades at the NewsHour, Baldwin has crisscrossed the US reporting on issues ranging from the water crisis in Flint, Michigan to tsunami preparedness in the Pacific Northwest to the politics of poverty on the campaign trail in North Carolina. Farther afield, Baldwin reported on the problem of sea turtle nest poaching in Costa Rica, the distinctive architecture of Rotterdam, the Netherlands and world renowned landscape artist, Piet Oudolf. @lornabaldwin
America's long history of gerrymandering and its role in this year's midterms
In short
Recent partisan battles over boundary maps mean nearly 35 million Americans will cast their ballots in altered congressional districts during this year's midterm elections. The centuries-old practice of gerrymandering remains a dominant mechanism directing the contemporary political landscape. To address its lasting impact, senior correspondent Judy Woodruff and producer Lorna Baldwin are examining the origins and democratic fallout of the practice. Their ongoing coverage is featured as part of the broader series titled "Crossroads: America at 250."
Key points
- Gerrymandering continues to function as one of the most powerful and influential tools sh…: Gerrymandering continues to function as one of the most powerful and influential tools shaping modern American politics.
- Partisan conflicts over congressional maps will directly alter the voting landscape for t…: Partisan conflicts over congressional maps will directly alter the voting landscape for tens of millions of citizens.
- The nationwide practice of map manipulation carries enduring consequences for the broader…: The nationwide practice of map manipulation carries enduring consequences for the broader functioning of American democracy.