Gerrymandering is the manipulation of electoral district boundaries to favor a specific political party or group. The implications are significant, as it can lead to unfair elections by skewing representation and diluting the voting power of certain populations. This practice undermines the principle of fair representation and can lead to increased political polarization. Voters may feel disenfranchised or become disillusioned with the political process due to the perception that their votes hold less value. Ultimately, gerrymandering poses a challenge to the legitimacy of democratic institutions.