Basics: Census Data & Geography
Basics: Gerrymandering
Basics: Enacting a Map
Basics: Equal Population
Basics: Preparing for Redistricting
Basics: Redistricting Litigation
Basics: Prisoner Reallocation
Basics: Rules, Criteria, Principles
Basics: Who’s Responsible for Redistricting?
Gerrymandering
Learn what gerrymandering is in this overview; including how it is done, and the different types of gerrymanders.
Redistricting Litigation
Read this primer on the common types of redistricting lawsuits, the evidence used at trial, and key court rulings.
Equal Population
How the equal population standard is implemented in congressional and state legislative districts to ensure equal representation.
Race in Redistricting
Representation of racial and ethnic minorities is of particular concern in redistricting. The Voting Rights Act of 1965 (as amended) and the 14th Amendment, contain specific rules.
Redistricting Prisoners
Some states have addressed the problem of "prison gerrymandering" with laws requiring prisoners be counted in the political district of their residence, and not at the prison. Here is a look at the issue and how these states have addressed it.
Rules, Principles & Criteria
Redistricting involves a complex interplay between legal rules, state policies, and best practices that can sometimes be confusing. Here is a primer on the various rules and guidelines line drawers must follow to produce a legal and politically acceptable map.
Census Data & Geography
Data from the United States Decennial census count and geographic information provided by the Census Bureau play a critical role in the once-a-decade process of redistricting. Learn the details of how the census is used in line-drawing.
Who's in Charge?
The answer varies from state to state. Here is an overview of the different ways states approach redistricting and who has ultimate authority to redraw political districts.
Preparing for Redistricting
How do states prepare for the months-long process of redistricting? Here is a primer on the general process of redistricting in the states, including the timeline involved and how staff, equipment and other resources are utilized.
Enacting a Redistricting Map
States and localities have different rules on how a newly drawn map becomes the official political districts for that jurisdiction. Here is a review of the most common ways redistricting maps become law.