What does the term 'racial gerrymandering' refer to?

The term 'racial gerrymandering' refers to the manipulation of electoral boundaries to favor one racial group over another. This practice involves redrawing district lines in a way that either concentrates or dilutes the voting power of specific racial or ethnic groups. By strategically crafting these boundaries, political parties can create districts that secure electoral advantages for themselves by influencing the demographic composition of the electorate.

This practice can lead to significant implications for representation, as it can either amplify the political voice of a particular racial group or marginalize it, ultimately impacting policy outcomes. Courts have often scrutinized cases of racial gerrymandering, as they raise concerns about violations of voting rights and equal protection under the law.

The other choices deal with different concepts related to electoral processes but do not accurately describe the specific practice of racial gerrymandering. For example, creating electoral districts to ensure equal representation does not involve manipulation but aims for fairness in representation. Similarly, increasing voter turnout within minority communities focuses on engagement rather than boundary manipulation, and drawing districts to protect incumbents typically relates to political strategy rather than racial considerations.