The term "gerrymander" originates from the merging of Elbridge Gerry's last name with "salamander." Gerrymandering involves creating oddly shaped districts to manipulate opposing voters' power, limiting their rights. Notable examples include Maryland's "Dante's Inferno," North Carolina's "I-95," Wisconsin's "Goofy Kick," and Pennsylvania's "Cartogram" gerrymanders drawn by both Democrats and Republicans.