Legal Definitions - redistricting

Redistricting is the process of redrawing the geographical boundaries of electoral districts from which public officials are elected. This process typically occurs after a national census, which counts the population, to ensure that each district contains a roughly equal number of residents, upholding the principle of "one person, one vote." It can also happen due to court orders, significant population shifts, or other demographic changes. The goal is to maintain fair and equitable representation, though the process can sometimes be complex and controversial.

• Example 1: Congressional Districts After a Census

  After the decennial U.S. Census, the state of Texas, having experienced substantial population growth, especially in its major metropolitan areas, undertakes a redistricting process. A state legislative committee is tasked with redrawing the boundaries for Texas's U.S. House of Representatives districts. The goal is to ensure that each congressional district represents approximately the same number of people, reflecting the new population distribution identified by the census, and potentially creating new districts if the state gains seats in Congress.

  This scenario demonstrates redistricting because it involves the redrawing of electoral lines (congressional districts) by a governmental body (a state legislative committee) following a population count (the census) to achieve equal representation and accommodate population changes.

• Example 2: State Legislative Districts Due to Court Order

  A federal court rules that the current state legislative districts in Michigan are unconstitutional because some districts have significantly more voters than others, violating the "one person, one vote" principle. In response, an independent redistricting commission in Michigan is compelled to redraw the boundaries for its state senate and state house districts. This involves adjusting the geographical lines of existing districts to balance the population across all districts, ensuring each legislator represents a similar number of constituents.

  This example illustrates redistricting as it involves an independent governmental body redrawing electoral boundaries (state legislative districts) in response to a legal mandate (a court order) to correct an imbalance in voter representation.

• Example 3: Local City Council Wards

  The city of Maplewood has seen rapid development and population increase in its northern suburbs, while its older southern neighborhoods have experienced a slight population decline. To ensure that each city council member represents a similar number of constituents, the city council decides to redraw the boundaries of its seven electoral wards. This means adjusting the lines of the wards so that the growing northern areas are appropriately divided, and the southern wards are adjusted to reflect their current population, maintaining equitable representation across the city.

  This situation is an instance of redistricting because it involves a local governmental body (the city council) redrawing the geographical lines of its electoral divisions (wards) to account for population shifts and maintain equitable representation among its residents.