`` Gerrymandering '' derived from Elbridge Gerry , former VP and Massachusetts governor . With the backing of the Republican caucus , President James Madison chose 67-year-old Gerry , a staunch supporter of the War of 1812 , to be his running mate . The term refers to redrawing legislative districts for political gain . It is a form of gerrymandering that has been used in the US since at least 1890 when it was first proposed by John Taylor ( who later became president ).
`` Gerrymandering '' derived from Elbridge Gerry , former VP and Massachusetts governor . The term refers to redrawing legislative districts for political gain . It is a form of gerrymandering that has been used in the US since at least 1890 when it was first proposed by John Taylor ( who later became president ).