Redistricting

10 Points to Know About Redistricting

1. Reapportionment is the term for how many congressional districts each state is allocated.

2. Redistricting is the term for drawing lines to divide a state into its entitled congressional districts.

3. The 2010 Census is the basis of population counts upon which the allocations are made.

4. The electoral college count is based on the state’s two senators plus the number of House districts; this  reapportionment adjusts up or down the number of electors each state has for the 2012, 2016, 2020 presidential contests.

5. Courts apply test of one person/one vote to ascertain constitutionality of plans; courts recognize a right to challenge plans based on racial or partisan imbalance.

6. Justice Department must approve plans of states covered under the Voting Rights Act.

7. States gaining seats:  Arizona, Florida (2), Georgia, Nevada, South Carolina, Texas (4), Utah, Washington.

8. States losing seats:  Illinois, Iowa, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Jersey, New York (2), Ohio (2), Pennsylvania.

9. Every state handles redistricting in a different fashion, including commissions, or courts that can draw lines without a role for state legislatures; congressional commissions redistrict in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Idaho, New Jersey, Washington.

10. Lines take effect for the 2012 primary/general elections.

To learn more about the Redistricting Process in Virginia, visit The Virginia Public Asset Project.

To get updated news stories regarding the ongoing redistricting process visit the Division of Legislative Services.