Rhode Island narrowly retained its two U.S. House seats after the 2020 Census. The legislature, assisted by an 18-member advisory reapportionment commission, began redrawing maps in fall 2021. On February 15, 2022, the General Assembly passed new congressional and state legislative plans (S 2162 and H 7323), and Governor Dan McKee signed them on February 16. The maps made relatively modest adjustments, particularly to equalize population between the two congressional districts, and notably, were not challenged in court.

A central policy debate focused on “prison gerrymandering.” In January 2022, the advisory commission voted 15–1 to recommend counting individuals incarcerated for less than two years as residents of their former home addresses for redistricting purposes. This partial fix was described by advocates as a step forward, but short of a full end to the practice.

last updated: Oct 2025