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Podcast: This Day (An America 250 History Show)
Episode: Gerry + Mander (1812) w/ Harry Enten
Description: It’s March 24th. This day in 1812, a political cartoon appeared in a Boston newspaper lampooning a newly proposed election district. The district was the work of Governor Elbridge Gerry, and the cartoonist depicted the district in the shape of a salamander. Hence, the “gerrymander” was born.
Jody, Niki, and Kellie are joined by CNN (and former 538) reporter Harry Enten to discuss the origins of redistricting weirdness, proposals to curb it, and how the politics of the 19th century seem to be repeating themselves.
Be sure to check out Harry’s podcast Margins of Error!
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