Legislative Redistricting

Legislative redistricting is the process of drawing the boundaries of electoral districts for state legislatures, typically every ten years after the Census. It ensures districts have roughly equal populations so each person's vote has similar weight. Redistricting can significantly impact political representation and policy decisions. The process involves state legislatures or independent commissions creating new district maps to reflect population shifts and growth. While intended to promote fair representation, redistricting can sometimes be influenced by political considerations, leading to practices like gerrymandering, where district lines are manipulated to favor one party.