Fact check: What are the most notable examples of gerrymandering in US history?

1. Summary of the results

Based on the analyses provided, several notable examples of gerrymandering emerge from US history and contemporary cases:

Historical Landmark Cases:

• Baker v. Carr and Wesberry v. Sanders established foundational legal principles for redistricting challenges ^[1]
• The Rucho v. Common Cause Supreme Court ruling determined that federal courts cannot intervene in partisan gerrymandering cases, giving states "increasingly unfettered power in redistricting" ^{[2] [1]}

Contemporary State Examples:

• Texas represents one of the most significant ongoing gerrymandering battles, with Republicans attempting to redraw congressional districts for partisan advantage, potentially impacting the 2026 midterms ^{[3] [4]}
• Florida is cited alongside Texas as having "the worst examples of gerrymandering" ^[3]
• Illinois demonstrates that gerrymandering occurs across party lines, with Democratic majorities also engaging in the practice ^[3]

Active Court Cases:

Multiple ongoing legal challenges highlight the scope of gerrymandering issues, including cases in Louisiana, New York, Mississippi, South Carolina, Alabama, and Colorado ^[5]

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

The analyses reveal several important contextual elements not captured in the original question:

Quantitative Impact:

• The Brennan Center's research indicates that Republicans currently hold approximately 16 House seats advantage due to gerrymandering nationwide ^[6]

Remedial Measures:

• Some states have established independent commissions to redraw district maps as a response to gerrymandering concerns ^[2]
• The proposed Freedom to Vote Act represents a potential federal legislative solution to address partisan gerrymandering ^[6]

Strategic Implications:

• The Texas gerrymandering battle could trigger a "gerrymandering arms race" where multiple states engage in redistricting for partisan advantage, creating a "never-ending cycle of gerrymandering" ^{[4] [7]}

Alternative Outcomes:

Four possible scenarios exist for resolving current gerrymandering disputes: full partisan escalation, compromise solutions, successful Democratic resistance, or legislative intervention to ban mid-decade redistricting ^[7]

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original question itself does not contain misinformation or bias, as it simply asks for factual examples. However, the question's framing could benefit from additional context:

Temporal Scope Limitation:

The question asks for "most notable examples" but doesn't specify whether it seeks historical cases, contemporary examples, or both. The analyses show that current gerrymandering practices may be more impactful than historical ones due to recent Supreme Court rulings ^{[2] [8]}.

Partisan Balance:

While the analyses mention that both parties engage in gerrymandering ^[3], there appears to be an emphasis on Republican-led efforts in states like Texas and Florida, with less detailed coverage of Democratic gerrymandering examples beyond Illinois.

Legal Evolution:

The question doesn't account for how the legal landscape has fundamentally changed, particularly after the Supreme Court's ruling that "federal courts have no authority to decide whether partisan gerrymandering goes too far" ^[8], making contemporary examples potentially more significant than historical precedents.