The Supreme Court on Tuesday began hearing accusations of partisan political gerrymandering in the state of Wisconsin, in a case that could reshape US democracy and literally redraw the country’s electoral map.

Republicans and Democrats have long used the powers of local government to manipulate district boundaries to maximise their own support and dilute opposition voter in tight constituencies.

It is a practice almost as old as the Republic itself.

However, with Republicans particularly dominant since 2010, controlling the majority of governors and state legislatures, Democrats complain their supporters are being unfairly disadvantaged.