Government Redistricting Web Sites
The decennial population Census of the United States is constitutionally required for determining congressional representation. After each decennial census, the Census Bureau assigns each state the number of seats it will have in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next ten years. Individual states are given the responsibility of drawing legislative boundaries for congressional districts as well as for state legislative districts. In some states, this process is done by the state legislature (for example, INDIANA) and in other states it is done by independent commissions. This process occured following the 2011 release of state population data from the 2010 Census. It will occur again in 2021 following release of 2020 decennial census population data. The COVID-19 pandemic has delayed collecting and release of Census data including redistricting data which is now targeted to be delivered to states. between July 1-September 30, 2020. Census Bureau redistricting data will now be delivered to states on Sept. 30, 2021 according to this February 12, 2021 Census press release
Sample Library of Congress Subject searches you can conduct in the Purdue Libraries online catalog for books on this topic include:
Apportionment (Election Law) United States
Election Districts United States
Gerrymandering United States
Proportional Representation
Representative Government and Representation United States
Most state governments have Internet websites featuring information about their redistricting practices and policies. Examples of general resources on redistricting can be found at the following sites which describe post 2000 and 2010 population census redistricting.:
Census Bureau Historical Apportionment Data Map provides apportionment & population data from 1910-present
Census Bureau Redistricting Site
Arizona State Legislature v. Arizona Independent Redistricting Commission (June 29, 2015 U.S. Supreme Court decision)
Baker v. Carr (March 26, 1962 U.S. Supreme Court case on redistricting-includes oral arguments)
Congressional Research Service Reports (Courtesy-Library of Congress)
Apportionment and Redistricting Following the 2020 Census (Dec. 9, 2020 CRS Report)
National Conference of State Legislatures (Non-governmental)
Most U.S. states have redistricting sites. These are listed below and some states have more than one site.
