1. The Art of stacking the deck
Gerrymandering
The Art of stacking the deck

2. Answer and explain What is the point of elections for voters?
What is the point of elections for political parties?
What is the best way to ensure victory in elections?
What is meant by “to the victors go the spoils”?

3. What is this?

5. Gerrymandering Elbridge Gerry and his “Salamander shaped” congressional district

6. Quick Review: The key terms
Apportionment: The Congressionally mandated distribution of congressional seats based on the census.
Census: every ___________
The total number of House seats doesn’t change
Redistricting: the process by which new congressional and state legislative district boundaries are drawn. 
Competitiveness: is the district a close electoral battle?

7. The Good News (and Bad) PA-6 US House of Representatives
Rep. Ryan Costello
Cook PVI R+2
The most competitive district in all of PA
Costello won 2014 election by a 12.6% margin (smallest margin in state)
Competitive is 5% margin or less 
Only 6% of all US congressional elections in entire United states were competitive

8. Gerrymandering
Gerrymandering: Practice of creating districts to enhance the political advantage of one party or group.
Can be used to gain political advantage, consolidate power, protect incumbents, and weaken political impact of other party or certain groups of people