Redistricting

What is Redistricting?

Redistricting is the process of redrawing voting district boundaries every 10 years to adjust for changes in population. The new boundaries determine who represents each district and can have a significant impact on elections and representation. Redistricting often creates districts that favor one political party or group over another, resulting in unfair and inequitable representation.

After each 10-year census, the US Constitution mandates that states adjust their voting district boundaries to reflect a near-equal population. This ensures that people have an equal voice represented in government. This process is called redistricting, and it occurs at all levels of government including federal, state legislative, county commission, school board, and city council.

Every state elects a certain number of people to the House of Representatives — a number that’s based on the Census count of the state’s population. For instance, Georgia elects 14 House members  divided into 14 congressional districts with roughly equal populations. In most US states, including Georgia, this process is controlled by the majority party in the state legislature.

Electoral district boundaries are more than just lines on a map. Redistricting establishes the location of district lines and which citizens can vote for which representative.  Just as city maps define which people a mayor serves, voting district boundaries determine who represents community residents, who fights for the community, and who stands for their values.

Redistricting should not be a partisan activity that protects those already in office. It  should allow our communities to elect their candidate of choice.