Click the audio player above to listen. CultureShift airs weekdays at 12 p.m.

Back in 1812, Massachusetts Gov. Elbridge Gerry approved a voting map that had one district carefully drawn to favor his party. In the eyes of some, it looked like a salamander. Since then, manipulating districts to unfairly benefit a political party has been referred to as gerrymandering after the governor.

CLICK HERE to Take WDET ’s Redistricting Rorschach Test

The process is completely legal in most states, including Michigan. As a result, voting districts today sometimes look like their own creatures.

WDET’s Laura Herberg quizzed southeast Michiganders on the streets of Detroit. Click here to listen.

She also sat down with CultureShift’s Amanda LeClaire and Ryan Patrick Hooper to explain the process and give them the Redistricting Rorschach Test.

Wikipedia

Wikipedia

Here’s other WDET work on the gerrymandering issue:

Policy Meets the People: Introducing the Issue of Gerrymandering

Talk Show Programming

WATCH HERE: A live one-hour show with an in-studio audience and guests at 8 p.m., Tuesday, June 26. Tune in at 101.9 FM or online at WDET.org. Or join on WDET’s Facebook page where we’ll live stream the show. The show rebroadcasts at 2 p.m. Tuesday, July 3. Listen HERE for WDET 101.9 FM live online.

On DETROIT TODAY: Was Racism Involved in the Drawing of Michigan’s Congressional Districts?

Digital Specials

A Podcast Playlist - Become a Gerrymandering Expert Just By Listening

NPR’s Hidden Brain: Gerrymandering and You

News Coverage

MichMash: Here’s How You Can Influence The Drawing of District Lines in Michigan

Gerrymandering: Why It’s a Technology Issue [TRANSCRIPT]

Redistricting 101: Your District, Your Politicians, But Does Your Vote Matter?

Ohio Offers Its Own Solution to Gerrymandering [MAPS + GRAPHS]

Who Should Draw Michigan’s Political Maps? Voters May Decide [PHOTOS + MAP]

Voters Not Politicians: The Pros [TRANSCRIPT]

Voters Not Politicians: The Cons [TRANSCRIPT]

It’s a Ship….No, it’s a House…Wait, it’s a Congressional District?

Does Michigan Have a District that Looks Like Homer Simpson? You Be the Judge.

Facebook Fun

Redistricting Rorschach Test