Assess the constitutionality and democratic effects of partisan gerrymandering in U.S. congressional redistricting. Students should evaluate claims under the Equal Protection framework (distinguishing racial from partisan claims and relevant tests/precedent), apply the Voting Rights Act’s protections against vote dilution and discriminatory intent/effect, and analyze First Amendment issues related to political association and viewpoint discrimination. Require legal reasoning, consideration of standards of review, use of a brief hypothetical map or facts, and proposals for remedial or policy responses grounded in democratic theory.